Master Peace Officer Elizabeth Baeza won the bid to take over as the new Justice of the Peace for Precinct 4 with her victory over fellow Democratic challengers Alford Littleton and Jesse Porras in the primary Tuesday night.
There were no Republicans in the primary, which means Baeza won’t face a November challenge.
As of 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Baeza had 392 votes, which put her at 53.33 percent, enough to avoid a runoff, while Littleton was standing at 205 votes (27.89 percent) and Jesse Porras had 138 (18.78 percent).
“Of course, I’m very excited first and very emotional at the same token and of course, very anxious about it,” Baeza said who was at the Ector County Annex as the results came in. “It’s a combination of all kinds of emotions, all very good ones.”
It will be the first elected office that Baeza will hold. This was her first time running for a public office.
In early voting, Baeza established a lead that Littleton and Porras couldn’t overcome, carrying 234 in early votes to 125 for Littleton and 84 for Porras.
Baeza said the reason for her win was just going out and getting to know the voters during her campaign.
“I think it was going door-to-door, meeting people and shaking their hands and them asking me questions, very specific ones,” Baeza said. “It was kind of like my own little debate at their front door. I really think that’s what did it.”
Baeza replaces outgoing judge Eddy Spivey who will be retiring.
As the results came in throughout the night, her lead did not diminish but she still entered Tuesday’s primary with some skepticism.
“Doubt is always in the back of my mind,” Baeza said. “I think it’s a human thing but I try not to think about it and try to be positive and go ahead and do the task that was ahead of me and just get it done.”
Despite losing, Littleton says he hopes for the best for Baeza.
“I wish Elizabeth good luck and I’ll be standing with her,” Littleton said.
Like Baeza, Littleton entered the race having not held a public office.
“I think one of the things that I learned was that there’s still a lot more to learn,” Littleton said. “I think we made a real decent campaign and we congratulated each other. But I think one of the things that I learned is that we have to work harder in certain areas. I think Elizabeth will make a good Justice of the Peace. I thought I could’ve been better but that’s my opinion and I guess I didn’t get that across to the people. But the people have spoken and I’ll support what the people say.”
When asked if Littleton will consider running for a public office again in the future, he wasn’t sure.
“I don’t know,” Littleton said. “I won’t make that decision at this time.”
Porras could not be reached for comment after the results came in.
