Doña Ana County Sheriff Kim Stewart leads challenger

11:06 p.m. Doña Ana County Sheriff Kim Stewart (D) leads challenger Bryon Hollister (R). Stewart is at 54% of the vote, with Hollister at 46%.

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico- Incumbent Sheriff Kim Stewart faces Republican candidate Byron Hollister for the position of Sheriff of Doña Ana County.

Hollister is a former Co-Commander of the U.S. Marshal Service.

In a candidate forum back in October Hollister said that the most important issue is the protection of children in the county.

Stewart said during the forum that she has made the office better by bringing in new equipment for the deputies and also more training for her staff.

She will spend the election at a private residence while Hollister will await the tallies at the Picacho Hills Country Club.

ABC-7's Wil Herren spoke with Stewart and Hollister as some of the polls reported in.

"Well it's gratifiying and I think that it speaks to the fact that the voters have noticed our progress in the last four years and they do want to see us move forward as the premiere law enforcement agency in New Mexico," the incumbent said.

Challenger Hollister shared with Herren, "We had such a great grassroots campaign.  You know we had phone banks, we had knockers, and handing out literature and I think we attended every event we could so at the end of this we did everything we could and I don't think my opponent did anything so I'm hoping we over take her soon."