Algernon D'Ammassa Las Cruces Bulletin
Doña Ana County District Attorney Gerald Byers conceded the Democratic primary Tuesday night as early vote counts were reported by the Secretary of State's office.
Byers' ouster clears the path for change at the top of the 3rd Judicial District.
Early results showed Byers trailing all three of his primary challengers with just 850 votes, or 9 percent of the first 9,730 votes reported. When he conceded the leading candidates, Fernando Macías and Shaharazad Booth, were within a percentage point at 34 and 33 percent, respectively, each with well over 3,200 votes. The primary winner will face Republican candidate Michael Cain in the Nov. 5 general election.
Byers sent a text message to the Bulletin at 9:40 p.m.stating: "The people have spoken. Best wishes to the successful general election candidate, and I'm looking forward to a smooth transition."
Byers, a University of New Mexico law school graduate and Navy veteran, had served as chief deputy DA under his predecessor, Mark D'Antonio. He ran unopposed in 2020 to become the first Black District Attorney elected in New Mexico but faced fierce criticism over the state of the 3rd Judicial District Attorney's office under his leadership, including high turnover among prosecutorial staff going back to D'Antonio's term.
