By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Sheriff Joe Frank Martinez has won his fifth term in office, decisively trouncing his
Republican challenger, Rogelio “Roger” Hernandez.
Val Verde County Clerk Teresa Esther Chapoy announced the unofficial vote totals for
the November General Election in Val Verde County outside the historic Val Verde
County Courthouse just before 10 p.m. Tuesday.
Chapoy told those gathered outside the courthouse Democrat Martinez had received an unofficial
total of 7,926 votes, with Hernandez garnering an unofficial total of 6,033 votes, a
difference of 1,893 votes.
A loud cheer went up from the Martinez camp, which included
his victory in the sheriff’s office race with his wife Heather, right, and daughter Courtlyn,
left. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
the sheriff’s brothers, Del
Rio businessman Leonel “Leo” Martinez and County Attorney David Martinez, and his
wife Heather and daughter Courtlyn, as well as dozens of friends and supporters.
Martinez had led the race from the time Chapoy announced the results of early voting at
7:40 p.m.
She announced Martinez received 5,652 votes from county residents who voted early by
personal appearance, and Hernandez received 4,358 votes from county residents who
voted early by personal appearance.
At the end of the evening, Martinez won the race with 57 percent of the 13,959 votes cast
in the race.
After taking the commanding lead in early voting, Martinez told The 830 Times, “The
last two weeks have been a rollercoaster ride, so I’m just going to enjoy the moment, and
we’re going to go from there.
“I’ve been blessed with a lot of support. I’ve had people at polling places when I wasn’t
able to be there at the civic center. I’ve been blessed with friendships, and I’ve been
blessed with the people of our community believing in me and what I do on behalf of Val
Verde County,” the sheriff added.
After the final vote totals were announced, Martinez said, “The citizens spoke. I think
that it’s indicative of the work that’s been done by this office over the last 15, almost 16,
years, and I’m proud of our community.
“I put it all in God’s hands, and at the end of the day, we’re still here. I had a lot of good
support from a lot of people, people on the ground, people behind the scenes. I had great
financial support and great support all around,” he added.
With a smile, Martinez said he is looking forward to four more years in the office and is
“still having fun” as sheriff.
“The minute that I start not having any fun, it’s time to start looking for someone to
replace me, but for right now, I’m good,” Martinez said.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com .
