Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Editor’s note: Primary elections across New Mexico are scheduled June 4, with early voting beginning May 7.
The general election is Nov. 5.
We asked candidates in contested Curry County commission races for their background and “Why do you want this job?”
Here are their responses:
Curry County Commission District 4
Seth Martin
I am a fourth-generation farmer, small business owner, elected county official, and deacon at the 16th and Pile Church of Christ. I’ve been married 31 years to Windy, and have 3 children -- Henry, Lily, and Gemma.
My family settled and began farming Curry County in 1906 and I have continued to work the land since. Martin Farms alternates between red winter wheat and sorghum over irrigated and dryland fields, and includes Martin Grain; a seed enterprise based out of a refurbished elevator in Grier.
Off the farm, I now own and operate an antique shop in Clovis’ old Baptist Hospital. Bought in 1981, my father Wayne restored the building and had it placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 2017 I was appointed to the Curry County Commission seat for District 4 and was re-elected in both 2018 and 2020. I am now serving my seventh year and regularly take up issues that concern local agriculture and community culture.
As a commissioner I have represented Curry County as a vice-chair of the Community, Economic, and Workforce Development Steering Committee for the National Association of Counties, and now serve as a vice-chair of the Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee.
In January of 2023, I was elected as one of two members of the Western Interstate Region for NACo, representing New Mexico at numerous conferences across the western states and in D.C. Numerous projects and concerns still exist that I would like to continue to work on and see finished up.
The PFAS contamination came to light during my first year as commissioner and is a priority to get addressed.
This lies solely in District 4 and I feel passionately about seeing the proper actions taken, while preserving private property rights.
The Fairgrounds are finally receiving the attention they need, to offer first-class facilities for our local children during the fair as well as supporting and bringing bigger and better events into Curry County.
Continued improvement to the rural roads and school routes in Curry County, is an ongoing issue.
James Widner
My background is in education.
I’ve worked 36 years as a teacher, principal and superintendent in public education, including 25 years at Melrose schools.
I’ve also farmed and I currently own a registered Angus cow/calf operation.
I grew up in Melrose and graduated from Melrose High School in 1979.
I came back to Melrose in 1992 and have been home ever since. I have a strong understanding of the political and legal processes, as well as how government operates.
I have been married to my wife Robin for 38 years and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren.
I want to be a county commissioner for District 4 so that I can represent Melrose and the west side of Curry County.
Furthermore, I want to represent all of Curry County and work to make this a better place to live, work and raise a family. I feel I have a strong skill set that will help me serve this county.
I’m really looking forward to meeting people and to learning what people want and need in our district.
— Compiled by David Stevens, the Staff of The News
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