Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The Democratic incumbent chairman of the Quay County Commission is seeking re-election as the representative of District 1, but he faces opposition from a Republican counterpart whose wife previously served on the commission.
Robert Lopez, 60, a farmer, is running for his second consecutive term on the commission.
Lopez also served on the commission from 2004 to 2012 before he was term-limited.
Dallas Dowell, 69, a rancher and a retiree from NuStar Energy, is running on the GOP ticket after being unopposed in the primary election.
His wife, Sue Dowell, served for two terms on the commission before being term-limited in 2020.
District 1 encompasses the northwest part of the county, with U.S. 54 and Interstate 40 as the primary southern boundaries and the San Miguel County line and south shores of Ute Lake as the northern boundaries.
Early voting for the general election begins on Oct. 8, with Election Day on Nov. 5.
The Quay County Sun called Lopez and Dowell with questions about their candidacy. Their responses are verbatim, with minor edits for clarity.
Q: What prompted you to run for office?
Dowell: “I’ve been a lifelong resident of Quay County. I’ve always kind of thought you ought to be involved and serve to make your community better. I’ve been on the volunteer fire department. I’ve been on the fair board, and I just thought this was a way maybe I could serve my community and with a positive outcome.”
Lopez: “There’s some things that have been started by this commission that I’d like to see followed through with. I’d like to see the hospital built. I also feel that the three commissioners that are seated now is a very good working unit. We seem to have the the county’s best interest at heart.”
Q: What are your goals, if elected?
Dowell: “To protect and improve lives in Quay County … try to improve the infrastructure of Quay County and try to represent the people for what they want.”
Lopez: “Mainly to continue the a good working relationship with all of the department heads and the other commissioners.”
Q: What is the most pressing issue facing the county?
Dowell: “I think probably the economy, jobs. We need to try to bring in jobs, and that’s really hard to do in rural America. Try to have some opportunities for young people to stay in Quay County instead of have to leave for a good job and and to make a place for their family. I think crime is going to be a big issue in the next few years here. We need to be trying to fight that and try to support the local law enforcement, protect the rights of landowners in Quay County.”
Lopez: “Probably the building of that new hospital is probably the No. 1 priority.” He added he was optimistic the hospital will be completed.