Short wins magistrate judge seat

Republican Linda J. Short won the Roosevelt County magistrate judge position Tuesday with almost 77 percent of votes.

Her opponent, Democrat James “Jim” W. Lee, had 1,018 of the 4,385 votes in the race.

“I’m very happy,” Short said.

Short plans to attend three weeks of new judges training starting Nov. 15 in Albuquerque and “go from there.”

Unless the governor appoints her to start early, Short takes office Jan. 1. Visiting judges have been handling magistrate court cases since Judge Jane Martin retired in August.

“I’m looking forward to getting started,” Short said.

Attempts to reach Lee were unsuccessful.