Clovis businessman Ben McDaniel said Friday that he will be a candidate for Curry County Commissioner Dan Stoddard’s seat.

It is McDaniel’s first bid for county office. Stoddard has already said he will be filing for re-election. Both are Republicans.

All candidates for county and state office must file Tuesday at the Curry County Clerk’s office for the June 5 party primary election.

McDaniel is a partner in McDaniel’s Furniture and Floor Covering, second vice chair of the Curry County Republican Party and a member of the New Mexico Republican Central Committee.

McDaniel said in a press release:

“I am running for county commissioner as I feel I have the experience and knowledge to work, and serve the citizens in addressing infrastructure needs of our facilities and establishing policies and procedures for the betterment of Curry County. As a resident of this county I am concerned about our public safety and the need to work on a solution to address our detention center infrastructure within our current tax base and continuing to provide the necessary services to the community.”