San Juan County, New Mexico

San Juan County Sheriff

One candidate is tracked for San Juan County Sheriff on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Kenneth W. Christesen. Candidate information follows official San Juan County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Kenneth W. Christesen is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Mexico Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election Contest/Candidate List.

What this office does

Sheriff. The sheriff runs the county's law enforcement agency, operates the county jail, provides courthouse security and serves court papers such as warrants, subpoenas and evictions. In many counties the sheriff's office is the primary police force for areas outside city limits. The sheriff hires deputies and manages the office's budget within what the county board approves.

This race. Every voter in San Juan County votes on this seat. One name is on the ballot for this seat.

New Mexico › San Juan County › San Juan County Sheriff

Kenneth W. Christesen

Top priorities

Supporting deputies by rebuilding staffing and providing resources and training
Targeting drug trafficking, including methamphetamine and fentanyl, through proactive enforcement and interagency cooperation
Promoting open communication and fair policing to build community trust

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Kenneth W. Christesen has lived in San Juan County since 1973 and spent 29 years in law enforcement there, per his campaign site, previously serving two elected terms as San Juan County Sheriff and as president of the New Mexico Sheriffs' Association.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotSan Juan County Commissioner, District 1

See your full ballot

Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for San Juan County Sheriff in 2026?

When is the San Juan County Sheriff election in New Mexico?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for New Mexico are on the New Mexico election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact San Juan County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official San Juan County and state election office filings, last verified September 25, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official New Mexico election office, or see the full San Juan County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your San Juan County ballot

22 tracked races in San Juan County, New Mexico. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

San Juan County Commissioner, District 2 San Juan County Probate Judge San Juan County Magistrate Judge, Division 1 See all 22 San Juan County races

Candidate profiles

Kenneth W. Christesen, full profile Official New Mexico election office