Sandy Jones
Public Regulation Commission Chairman Sandy Jones released late Wednesday the details of two news conferences he’ll hold Friday to announce that he’s running for land commissioner.
The Democrat’s first stop will be at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe, where he’ll announce his candidacy at 12:15 p.m. in the rotunda. At 5:15 p.m., he will make the announcement again in Belen on the fourth floor of the Wells Fargo building located at 101 S. Main Street.
“I was born and raised in New Mexico and have never lived anywhere else,” Jones said in a news release. “I am a farmer, businessman, husband, father and now a regulator.”
“My love of the land and my hopes for the future of our children have led me to run for commissioner of public lands,” he said. “My unique combination of experiences, expertise and understanding of issues on all sides will allow me to serve our state well. Protecting our state lands and securing our children’s future is my goal and my focus.”
Jones first confirmed Tuesday evening that he’ll run for land commissioner next year instead of seeking re-election to the PRC.
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.
Former Doña Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley is the only person who has said publicly that he’s seriously considering running for Jones’ seat on the PRC.
As I’ve disclosed in the past, I’m friends with McCamley. Click here to read more about that.