Chris Ponce, Democrat and lifelong resident of Grant County, would like to announce his candidacy for Grant County Commissioner District 1.

I was born and raised in Grant County. My wife Julie of 31 years and I have raised our family in Grant County. We have one daughter Erika, and a son, Christopher. My wife retired after 25 years with Silver Consolidated Schools.

I strongly believe in family and making Grant County a better and safer place to live. I want to work in partnership with the Citizens of Grant County to address issues that may arise. I also want to work in partnership with elected officials in surrounding communities to help accomplish goals and visions they have for the communities they represent. We must continue to move forward.

My vision is to continue to fight special interest groups who neglect to preserve jobs first established by previous generations. I will strongly support the traditions that we have enjoyed, generation after generation, such as hunting and fishing. We must continue to fight to keep roads open for continued enjoyment. These are the traditions and lifestyles of Grant County.

I believe we need to bring vocational programs into Grant County to give our younger generation’s different options.

I support public safety; police protection is one of the basic services Grant County provides. In order to move forward, we must support law enforcement with comparable pay and training so law enforcement can provide the best possible services to our Citizens.

I have the qualifications, experience, and management skills needed to be successful in the position of Grant County Commissioner. For most of my adult life I have been in public service. I started with the Silver City Police Department in 1986, until my retirement in 2006. I retired as the Deputy Chief of Police. I also had the honor of holding the position of Interim Chief of Police for 8 months.

I also had the honor of working with the Grant County Sheriff’s Department as Deputy and Sergeant in the Criminal Investigations Division from April 2009 to October of 2012. I have an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Western New Mexico University.

Since October of 2012 I have been working for Freeport McMoRan Inc.

I’ve worked in partnership with community leaders and representatives, including Neighborhood Watch, Project Lifesaver, El Refugio, Mimbres Region Arts Council, Border Area Mental Health, Silver City Chamber of Commerce, Western New Mexico University, Grant County DWI Task Force, and Crime Stoppers.

I have also been involved with our youth: past Vice President Silver City Little League, coach for Pop Warner Football, coach for boys baseball and girls softball, and head Junior Varsity coach, girls softball at Silver High School.

I will work hard for Grant County, I will listen to you, and I will always be fair.

Working Together, Succeeding Together. Your Support and Vote would be greatly appreciated. Please vote June 5, 2018.

Working Together, Succeeding Together