Former congressional candidate Bob Cornelius says he’ll be on the ballot next year, running either for land commissioner or a seat on the Public Regulation Commission.
Cornelius is a Republican, so running for the District 2 PRC seat would pit him in a primary against Land Commissioner Pat Lyons, who is term-limited from seeking re-election and announced earlier this week that he’s running for the PRC seat.
Cornelius said that doesn’t worry him.
“No matter which seat I choose to run for, I don’t plan on losing,” he said in an interview.
Cornelius said he’s met with GOP leaders and other Republicans around the state about his consideration of both races.
“I’ve been encouraged by the response of those whom I’ve met with. They have strongly encouraged me to seek either seat,” he said. “I think the Republican Party is looking for new faces. I’m a new name on the ballot, but grassroots leaders around the state know me and have a familiarity with me.”
Cornelius said he must still discuss both races with a few people and will “continue to pray about it and ask for guidance.” He said he’ll announce his decision on May 21.
Cornelius, 29, briefly entered the 2nd Congressional District race last year but ultimately didn’t file to appear on the ballot. Since then, he’s served as interim director of the Bernalillo County GOP and worked as a political consultant. He currently sits on the board of directors for the Right to Life Committee of New Mexico, works for the PRC and is part owner of a company that is looking to bring a biogas plant to southeastern New Mexico.
No Democrats have entered the District 2 PRC race. The only announced candidate in next year’s land commissioner race is Democrat Ray Powell, a former land commissioner who is seeking the job once again.