Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Texas news, down to the facts.

Early voting is open through Oct. 30. Election Day is Nov. 3, 14 days away. Elections

Elections

Samaniego seeks third term; Torres Shelton challenges for El Paso County Judge

El Paso County voters will choose in November between incumbent Democrat County Judge Ricardo Samaniego, seeking a third term, and Republican challenger Minerva Torres Shelton, a retired FBI agent and former police officer. The race is one of three Commissioners Court contests on the ballot.

Where
El Paso County
When
November 3, 2026
Sources
Reported by 2 outlets

Counties: El Paso

Taxes and money

County judge must balance increasing costs for services with impact to taxpayers, but no specific tax effect stated in sources.

  • Sheriff's Office budget deficit for overtime at county jailsnearly $6 million1 Who pays or receives it: El Paso County
  • County judge annual salary$152,7251 Who pays or receives it: El Paso County

Does this affect you?

Who's involved

  • Ricardo SamaniegoDemocrat incumbent county judge seeking third term
  • Minerva Torres SheltonRepublican candidate for county judge, retired FBI agent and former police officer

The facts

  • County judge serves a four-year term and is one of five Commissioners Court members.1
  • Samaniego was first elected in November 2018 and ran unopposed in March Democratic primary.1
  • Torres Shelton describes herself as a moderate Republican.1
  • Torres Shelton previously ran for El Paso County Sheriff and lost to Oscar Ugarte.2
  • County commissioner seats in Precinct 2 and Precinct 4 are also up for election.1
  • El Paso County population is nearly 1 million.2

Who said what

These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.

  • Samaniego Torres Shelton is a MAGA Republican opponent.1
  • Torres Shelton She considers herself a moderate Republican focused on smaller, responsive government.1
  • Torres Shelton She wants to provide tax relief for El Paso County residents.2

How they headlined it

The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.

  • Samaniego seeks third term as Republican Torres Shelton challenges for county judge

    El Paso Matters

  • Your Local Election HQ: Minerva Torres-Shelton for County Judge

    KTSM 9 News

Sources

Outlets: 2 not rated Who's covering Texas →

These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.

  1. Samaniego seeks third term as Republican Torres Shelton challenges for county judge El Paso Matters Not rated, October 7, 2026
  2. Your Local Election HQ: Minerva Torres-Shelton for County Judge KTSM 9 News Not rated, October 8, 2026

This sheet was written by AI from the sources above and adds nothing they don't state. Read the originals for full context.

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