Jabs fly over experience in El Paso County sheriff race between Ugarte, Torres Shelton

A few political jabs were thrown Wednesday as the two contenders running to be the new sheriff of El Paso County spoke at the El Paso Central Business Association's monthly luncheon.

Republican candidate Minerva Torres Shelton , a retired FBI supervisory special agent, attempted to differentiate her street-level law enforcement experience with that of El Paso County Constable Oscar Ugarte , who won the Democratic primary runoff in May.

In El Paso County, Republicans have long struggled to win any county-wide races. As a Democrat, Ugarte is considered to be the solid frontrunner in a race to be decided by voters in the crowded Nov. 5 general election.

At the luncheon, Ugarte largely stuck to the campaign issues that carried him to victory in the primary — improving community relations, bettering staff recruitment and retention, and working with local, state and federal lawmakers and other agencies. Torres Shelton had similar stances on some issues.

"I have the experience. I have the knowledge," Ugarte told a luncheon crowd of about 200 business leaders in the Juárez Room of the El Paso convention center in Downtown. Ugarte asked that voters give him the "opportunity to show you that I’m ready for growth and to protect this community."

'I’ve been there. I’ve done that'

Torres Shelton touted her time as an El Paso police officer and an FBI agent working a variety of federal cases. "I’ve been there. I’ve done that," she said.

Torres Shelton is the daughter of Mexican immigrants. She worked in military intelligence as a U.S. Army sergeant. She served five years on the streets of Downtown as a patrol officer with the El Paso Police Department. After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, she joined the FBI, where she spent 21 years, including her last five years as a supervisory special agent, she said.

"You need a leader that knows what law enforcement is — unlike my opponent who has had a small (county constable) district doing the majority civil processes, citations — you need to know law enforcement like the back of your hand and that is me," Torres Shelton told the audience.

From Ysleta High to sheriff's contender

Ugarte has said he's gained a variety of experience and views involved in different aspects of law enforcement for more than 20 years.

When Ugarte and Torres Shelton talked about expanding Sheriff's Office recruitment at high schools, Ugarte spoke about of his own experience attending the law enforcement program at Ysleta High School.

Election: El Paso County sheriff runoff election 2024: Oscar Ugarte looks to future after victory

Ugarte, who is also a first generation American and the son of Mexican immigrants from Durango, recalled how his high-school law enforcement instructor took him on a visit to the medium-security Rogelio Sanchez State Jail in far East El Paso.

On the state jail visit, he learned that at the age of 18 he could be a correctional officer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. "I graduated in May and in October I was in Houston starting my TDCJ academy," Ugarte said.

After stint as a correctional officer, Ugarte worked two years as a police officer with the Socorro Police Department before working as a court bailiff and a deputy constable. Since 2016, Ugarte has been county constable for Precinct 1, which covers parts of Central, Northeast and West El Paso. He said that running the constable's office has given him experience with budget, management and staffing issues.

In the Democratic primary, Ugarte defeated two high-ranking El Paso County Sheriff's Office leaders.

Sheriff endorsements squabble

Ugarte's run for sheriff has been bolstered by the backing of U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar , former congressman Beto O'Rourke and other local high-profile Democrats. They have described Ugarte as "a thoughtful, progressive law enforcement leader."

Torres Shelton said, "My opponent — another thing that he says — he is the first one in an elected position (as a county constable), that’s right, I’ve never been elected. I’m not a politician but I am running for an elected position."

Torres Shelton was unfazed by Ugarte's endorsements.

“One last thing that will help you make up your mind," she told the crowd. "I have not received any endorsements from politicians, that is correct because I’m not seeking their endorsement. I’m seeking the endorsement of the people and that’s you, every single person in this room."

CBA honors Sheriff Wiles. Mayor candidates coming up.

The luncheon was also attended by retiring Sheriff Richard Wiles who Tanny Berg, CBA co-founder and president, presented with a certificate of appreciation and a decorated " Milagro " cross thanking him for his service.

"Sheriff Wiles exemplifies bravery, integrity and devotion and professionalism in his many roles in protecting our community," Berg said.

With election season underway, the Central Business Association will feature candidates for El Paso mayor at a luncheon in August, Berg said. Among the questions mayoral candidates will face, "How will you keep our kids from leaving?"

With El Paso's low-voting numbers, Berg took a moment to encourage people to vote. "Vote for whomever you want, but you got to vote."

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Jabs fly over experience in El Paso County sheriff race between Ugarte, Torres Shelton