Public Regulation Commissioner Sandy Jones (Courtesy photo)
Sandy Jones plans to run for state land commissioner next year, meaning he won’t be seeking re-election to a position on one of the most powerful regulatory boards in the nation.
Jones, a Democrat who represents District 5 on the state’s Public Regulation Commission and is the board’s chairman, confirmed in an interview that he will announce his candidacy for land commissioner on Friday. He said he plans a 12:15 p.m. announcement on that day at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe and a 5:30 p.m. announcement at the Wells Fargo Bank in Belen.
And, Jones said, he may also make an announcement in Las Vegas Friday morning. Further details will be forthcoming.
The only other declared Democratic candidate for land commissioner is Ray Powell, held the job from 1993 to 2002. In addition, former state Attorney General Patricia Madrid and Santa Fe County Commissioner Harry Montoya both say they’re considering running.
On the Republicans side, GOP activist Bob Cornelius and retired law-enforcement agent Errol Chavez are running.
They’re all battling to replace the GOP’s Pat Lyons, the current land commissioner who is term limited from seeking re-election.
Jones was born and raised in Corrales and now lives on a farm in Sierra County. For 25 years, he operated a statewide road construction company. He was first elected to the PRC in 2006, was made vice chairman in 2008 and elected chairman earlier this year.
Jones has been in the news lately for a controversy involving his office assistant. He recently placed on paid leave — and then reinstated — his assistant after a complaint that her hiring violates state law because she has twice been convicted of felony crimes. The AG is investigating the situation.
Jones was facing re-election next year, so his decision to run for land commissioner creates another race in the 2010 election that will be without an incumbent. No one had yet declared an intention to challenge Jones for the PRC seat next year.
This article has been updated for clarity. In addition, a prior version of this article incorrectly stated that Powell was land commissioner in the 1980s and 1990s.