County clerk López Askin lands new term

Amanda López Askin, a Democrat who has led the Doña Ana County Clerk’s Office since 2018, won a resounding victory Tuesday to keep her job for four more years. 

López Askin beat Cheryl De Young, a Republican and former election worker, by 9,604 votes in unofficial results available at press time. The contest was the second between López Askin and De Young, featuring one candidate who campaigned and one who stayed behind the scenes. 

De Young did not respond to several calls, texts, and emails sent by the Las Cruces Bulletin requesting an interview and her response to a candidate survey. Other media outlets reported the same outcome when requesting De Young provide answers to Las Crucens. 

López Askin, a Doña Ana County native and New Mexico State University Ph.D. graduate, has administered 10 elections since becoming clerk. She took over the office after the previous clerk resigned. 

López Askin told the Bulletin she was running for the position after she had “implemented significant positive changes in the county clerk’s office that have improved customer service, increased employee morale, and retention, supported our recording and filing section, as well as passionately advocated for resources and best practices in our elections section.”

She has also been the target of harassment and intimidation stemming from her role as overseer of elections in the county, she told the Bulletin in an interview. As a candidate, López Askin was prohibited by law from playing a role in overseeing the 2024 election: That duty fell to her chief deputy, Caroline Zamora.

Despite a lack of campaign activity by her opponent, López Askin courted about $31,000 in contributions, many from local officials, ranging from $50 to $500.

Donors included county commissioners Manuel Sanchez, Christopher Schaljo-Hernandez,and Shannon Reynolds; Las Cruces city councilors Becky Corran and Yvonne Flores; county officials Jonathon Macias, Fernando Macías (the former county manager and District Attorney-elect) and Sheriff Kim Stewart; NMSU Board of Regents Chair Ammu Devasthali and a slew of local statehouse representatives. 

López Askin spent less than $8,500 of the $31,000, mostly on travel and campaign paraphernalia. 

De Young solicited contributions totaling about $8,200. Her top contributor was Henry Young, her husband and the operator of Gospel Rescue Mission. She spent about $5,000, mostly on campaign consultants and paraphernalia. 

In an interview before her victory, López Askin reflected on the changes that have occurred in the office over the last eight years.

López Askin cannot seek another term as county clerk, due to a two-term limit. When asked about her future – especially considering the sizable war chest she assembled this election -- López Askin looked to the next rung of the ladder.

“I will acknowledge because I've been asked many different times about what my plans are. I'm termed out after this. And love elections, and so we shall see what that brings. Obviously, the next role would be secretary of state, but I can't see far beyond this week at this point, and it's and it's, frankly, an honor to even be thought of,” she said.