New Mexico Fifth Judicial District Court, Division I
Background David E. Finger is a district court judge in Division I of the New Mexico Fifth Judicial District Court, based in Carlsbad, Eddy County. He handles a general docket covering criminal, civil, family, and other matters across the three-county district.
Education He earned his law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
Prior Experience Finger previously served as a Lea County Magistrate Court Judge in Division IV. He was appointed to that position in 2011 by Governor Susana Martinez and was later re-elected. He also worked as an Assistant District Attorney in the Fifth Judicial District.
Appointment & Current Role A registered Republican, he was sworn in on January 6, 2023, after defeating incumbent Judge Eileen Patricia Riordan in the November 2022 general election. He won with approximately 75 percent of the vote.
Election Status His current term expires on December 31, 2026.
Sources / Links:
- Fifth Judicial District Court Judges: https://fifthdistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-district/judges/district-judges/
- Ballotpedia: https://ballotpedia.org/David_E._Finger_(New_Mexico_Fifth_Judicial_District_Court_Division_1,_New_Mexico,_candidate_2022)
- Las Cruces Sun-News (swearing-in): https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/local/2023/01/12/david-finger-lists-legal-experience-as-qualifier-for-new-judgeship/69786255007/
- USA Today / Carlsbad Current-Argus (election results): https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/11/09/david-finger-defeats-eileen-riordan-for-district-court-judgeship/69611234007/




















































