EL PASO, Texas (KTEP) - Candidates in the Democratic primary election for the El Paso District Attorney’s Office raised $91,617 in combined campaign contributions, according to campaign finance reports.
The race between Nancy Casas, James Montoya and Alma Trejo on March 5 will decide which Democratic candidate advances to the general election race against appointed DA Bill Hicks, who is running unopposed in the Republican primary.
Nancy Casas is an assistant county attorney. Montoya is a public defender for El Paso County. Alma Trejo resigned from her office as judge of the El Paso County Criminal Court #1 to run for district attorney.
Preliminary state reports were submitted on January 15, providing insight into the campaign finance of many races throughout the state. The reporting period between July 1 to December 31 is mandatory.
Each Democratic candidate outraised Hicks, who reported $11,411 in contributions. The current DA has spent $8,851 on his campaign, according to his campaign finance report.
His largest donations came from Salvador Perches $2,500, Tom Hicks $1,000, Sonny Brown $500 and Ray Baca $500.
The race for the District Attorney’s Office is on the forefront of voters’ minds after former Democratic DA Yvonne Rosales resigned from the position in 2022.
Rosales left office amid the dismissal of nearly 1,000 criminal cases, criticism of her handling of the Walmart mass shooting case and questions about her leadership. Rosales’ resignation allowed Republican Governor Greg Abbott to appoint Hicks to the position.
Candidates in the Democratic primary are pointing to Rosales’ record in mailers sent to voters as a reason for El Pasoans to carefully consider their choice.
James Montoya, 33, reported having the most contributions with $45,634, nearly half of the total amount of political contributions between three opponents, according to campaign finance reports. His report also does report having $40,000 in outstanding loans.
Montoya’s largest donations came from: Linda Estrada $3,000, Law Office of Steve Ortega $2,500, James Rey $3,500 and other attorneys.
He also reported $26,049 in expenses, mainly in signs, canvassing, flyers, and data.
Nancy Casas, 49, reported the second most among her opponents with $27,388. She also recorded spending $51,711, mostly on signage and consulting fees.
Casas’ biggest donations came from several $1,000 contributions from Russell Aboud, Borderland Bail Bonds, Felix Casas, Alfonso Melendez and Sylvia Peregrino.
Alma Trejo, 59, reported $18,594 in contributions between July and December, according to her campaign finance report. Trejo also recorded having $10,000 in outstanding loans.
She received a notable $1,000 donation from state representative Joe Moody.
And, other large contributions to Trejo’s campaign came from the Wyatt & Underwood law firm $2,500, Mary Herrera $2,5000, Ruben Hernandez $1,500, Mario Ortiz $1,000, Yvonne Rodriguez $1,000, and Paul Grajeda $1,000.
She also reported $28,415 in expenses, mainly in consulting.
