By Mike Smith

El Rito Media

msmith@currentargus.com

Eddy County undersheriff Matt Hutchinson soundly defeated Libertarian Andrew Kennedy in Tuesday’s race for Eddy County sheriff.

Unofficial results from the New Mexico Secretary of State on Wednesday showed Republican Hutchinson with 83% of the vote and Kennedy with 17%.

Hutchinson will replace current Eddy County Sheriff Mark Cage who could not seek a third term after serving eight years as the county’s top elected law enforcement officer.

The sheriff-elect has worked in law enforcement for 20 years. He was promoted through the ranks of the sheriff’s office and has held supervisory or administrative roles during his tenure with the office.

During the campaign, Hutchinson said fentanyl and other drugs posed the biggest issue facing Eddy County. He said enforcement and education were needed to fight the drug problem.

“I feel that the campaign went very well,” Hutchinson said in a text message Wednesday morning. “The communities were very engaged in debates and issues that affected them. All of the feedback I received was positive.”

“I am excited to be the next sheriff to bring my vision and view to the office,” he added. “I believe the citizens of Eddy County deserve a sheriff’s office that is self-sufficient and provides them with law enforcement resources they deserve. This is currently being done and will continue with me as sheriff.”

Kennedy, a 26-year-old cattle rancher and oilfield lease operator from Loco Hills, thanked those who voted for him and said 17 percent of the vote was a big step for Eddy County’s Libertarian Party.

The total was “practically unheard of for our party nationwide,” he said in a Wednesday morning email. “I’m very proud today to call myself both a Libertarian and the Chair of the Libertarian Party of Eddy County, New Mexico.”

Artesia mayor declared winner of state House race

Republican Jon Henry collected 88% percent of the vote in defeating Libertarian Christian Ehmling for the District 54 seat in the New Mexico House of Representatives.

Henry, who is mayor of Artesia and an outgoing Eddy County commissioner, will replace State Rep. Jim Townsend who ran unopposed for the District 34 seat in the state Senate.

Neither Henry nor Ehmling responded to emails seeking comment.

Eddy County voting numbers

A total of 65% of Eddy County’s 36,057 eligible voters participated in the Nov. 5 election, according to the New Mexico Secretary of State.

Eddy County Clerk Cara Cooke said 45% of Eddy County voters took part in early and absentee voting.

“Forty five percent is great. That is better than I have seen,” said Eddy County Commission chairman Bo Bowen.

Cooke presented the early voting figures during the Nov. 5 meeting of the Eddy County Board of County Commissioners.

Cooke said election results would be canvassed by commissioners on Nov. 14 at 12:15 p.m. at the Eddy County Administration office in Carlsbad.

Mike Smith may be reached at 575-308-8734 or email at msmith@currentargus.com.