Submitted by Kevin Shelton, Sandoval County
Our community has watched Sheriff Jesse Casaus put the good of Sandoval County and its neighbors ahead of partisanship. The Democratic Party responded by blasting him for endorsing Victor Rodriguez, claiming the sheriff had finally shown his “true colors.” I believe the sheriff made the right decision. He wouldn’t just make this decision lightly.
The Democratic Party continues to show its own true colors by placing party loyalty above qualified leadership. Instead of supporting the candidate best positioned to protect the progress of the last eight years, the Democratic Party has defaulted to talking points.
Sheriff Casaus spent eight years expanding the ranks of deputies, launching narcotics and K-9 units, and securing critical state and federal grants. He chose not to risk that record. He endorsed a candidate who will build on it rather than return the office to past approaches. Public safety may appear divided by R and D on a ballot, but it is not a divisive issue for the people who live here.
Sandoval County continues to grow. New homes, new businesses, and expanding responsibilities place increasing demands on law enforcement. Maintaining the gains of the last eight years, more deputies on the street, specialized units targeting drugs and serious crime, and the grant funding that supports those efforts requires leadership that understands the work already underway. It does not require a return to past methods simply because they carry a political brand.
This race is not about Democratic versus Republican policies. It is about whether Sandoval County elects a sheriff who will serve everyone, or one focused on reliving past glory days. Sheriff Casaus made his judgment clear. He put the community first. Voters now have the chance to do the same. Always remember, “United We Stand.” I believe that Victor Rodriguez will keep the county, the cities, and its people safe.