It’s no secret that Lea County relies heavily on the Oil & Gas industry for its economic livelihood. Every industry here depends on the oil field workers who spend their hard-earned wages to keep our economy moving. So with a contested primary for County Commissioner in District 1, which covers Lovington and Tatum, the choice should be an obvious one.
Of the two Republican candidates vying for the party’s nomination, only David Trujillo has experience with the oil field. Trujillo has been an important pillar of the Lovington community for decades, serving on the city commission for 20 years. You’ve probably seen him volunteering his time around town, at Chamber of Commerce events and at the Senior Citizen Center.
It’s a particularly precarious time for the oil field these days, with tighter environmental and safety regulations as well as the slow but inevitable transition away from fossil fuels. For Lea County to have a future, it has to be smart about its present. We can’t afford to elect somebody who doesn’t have a fundamental understanding of the local economy.
Currently David works as an OSHA instructor and field safety supervisor. He got his start in the oil field at the age of 18 while in college and served as a derrick hand.
David was also born and raised right here in Lovington. This gives him a much better understanding of the community and our needs here, and a much deeper connection. His roots and his family are here, providing a strong motivation to do what’s best for all of Lea County.
Throughout his life, public service has been at the center of it. You would be hard pressed to find any other candidate for public office that has given back more to his country and his community. David is a veteran of Desert Storm and served in the US Army and National Guard for 15 years. He served on the board for the Boy Scouts of America and volunteered with the Lovington Fire Department in the 90s. He’s coached local little leagues and regularly visits with the folks at the Senior Citizen Center to better address their needs as commissioner.
David’s priorities for Lea County are practical and sensible. He’s never been one to grandstand or let his ego choose what’s most important to him. Instead he wants to focus on the things that will positively impact the residents of Lea County. After school programs and school bus routes for county roads are a top priority for David, along with expanding and improving our emergency response and law enforcement services.
Most importantly, though, David brings the vital understanding of Oil & Gas along with his dedication to public service. He promises to be a fiscal conservative in office and knows how important it is to plan for the future, especially given the boom and bust cycle of our economy.
The Republican Primary is June 4th, and Early Voting is underway now. Residents can vote at the Lea County Courthouse in downtown Lovington or request an absentee ballot. For more information about voting in Lea County, visit https://leacounty.net/183/Election-Information.
The general election takes place November 4th, but the winner of the Republican primary for District 1 will be running unopposed. That makes this a particularly important election, and the choice should be clear: David Trujillo has the experience and dedication that will serve Lea County well.
