Copsin is retiring, Chavez said.
It is a four-year term, to begin January 2021.
Chavez is a Republican, running against Sandra Whitehead, a Democrat, therefore each will win the primary as the representative of their respective parties, no matter what the vote.
The Primary Election is June 2, but early voting starts May 5 through May 30. One may vote via mail-in ballot or by voting at the County offices at 100 N. Date St., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
One may request a mail-in ballot by emailing County Clerk Shelly Trujillo at strujillo@sierraco.org or calling her at (575) 894-2840.
The General Election is November 3. Independent-party candidates may declare candidacy by June 25 to be on the November ballot, therefore more candidates may enter the race.
Asked why she is running, Chavez said, “My first major in college was accounting before I pursued my degree in education. I was an educator in the Truth or Consequences schools for 25 years.”
“I feel I have made a full circle now,” Chavez said, “and will hopefully finish out my career in the Treasurer’s office. We have a wonderful staff and we make a great team.”
“I love being able to continue serving the citizens of Sierra County,” Chavez said, “some of them being my former students and their families.”
Asked what her current duties are, Chavez said, “As the Chief Deputy, I work side-by-side with our current Treasurer Terri Copsin. Terri has worked with me from day one to teach me all the ins and outs of the Treasurer’s office. It was through her continued encouragement and that of the staff that I decided to run for the Treasurer’s position.”
“My duties are vast,” Chavez said, “but include: working with our taxpayers, collecting taxes, county banking, investments, helping manage and maintain department funds, working with auditors, providing commission reports, as well as completing and overseeing many other day-to-day operations.”
“I work closely with our staff,” Chavez said, “and have brought in excel program training for the county offices. We have implemented cross training within our office duties so that when things happen like the social distancing and limited staffing, we are able to function as normal.”
“I work with our staff and their personal-progress goals throughout the year,” Chavez said. “This helps them grow within their duties, allowing them to share their knowledge with others.”
Asked how she is going to campaign, Chavez said, “I am trying my best during the stay-at-home order to reach out to our citizens through Facebook, phone calls, messaging, emails, etc.”
“My Facebook page is: Vote Candace Chavez.”
Chavez will have no learning curve if she is elected, having already been trained by Copsin.
“Over the past year,” Chavez said, “Terri has shared her duties with me and has encouraged me to take the reins in different aspects as we work through the year.”
Asked how she would change the functions of the office, Chavez said, “We are working to make office procedures more simplified and building tools that assist our day-to-day operations. We have truly built a team that is courteous, works well together, and are there for our taxpayers to answer questions and help in any way we can.”
Sandra Whitehead is Truth or Consequences City Commissioner and Mayor as well as running for a second elected position as County Treasurer.
Asked if she has any opinion on Whitehead possibly holding two elected positions, Chavez said, “I have the utmost respect for our Mayor and wish her only the best. I do believe that you would need to choose one or the other in order to do the job well.”