by Bill Knowles
TRINIDAD — Jared Polis received 68 votes in the Las Animas County Caucus straw vote to lead the field of Democratic contenders seeking the governor’s seat. Polis was followed by Cara Kennedy with 23 votes, Erik Underwood with 16 votes, and Mike Johnston with one vote. There were 33 uncommitted for a total of 141 votes, which means the party will send 141 delegates to the county assembly.
Candidates running for commissioners seats are: Dean Moltrer in District 1, and JoJo Martinez for District 3. Jodie Amato is running for county assessor and Patricia Vigil will run for her second term as county clerk and recorder. The county coroner candidate is Dominique Verquer.
The candidates for sheriff are Derek Navarette, the current undersheriff, and Tracy Bonham. Donna Leonetti will run for a second term as county treasurer and trustee. Jerry Berry is a candidate for county surveyor.
The county assembly will be held at Trinidad Middle School on Sat. March 24, with registration at 8 am. The county will pick the candidates to make it to the state primary ballot, and will pick eight delegates to the state assembly.
