Jamie Estrada
Las Cruces native and businessman Jamie Estrada announced today that he’s running for the District 5 seat on the Public Regulation Commission.
A news release from Estrada, a Republican, stated that the PRC “is in need of independent, qualified and strong leadership. Having successfully worked in both the private and government sectors, Jamie Estrada will bring strong administrative and industry expertise to the PRC.”
“The recent conduct by some PRC members has affected the commission’s productivity and has caused the public to lose confidence in the current administration,” the release states. “Estrada will work to restore the public trust and get the PRC back on track for the people of New Mexico.”
“In the weeks and months ahead, I look forward to hearing from voters across central and southwestern New Mexico about their concerns and how the PRC can better protect consumers and make New Mexico more competitive,” Estrada said.
Estrada is a business and international trade policy consultant. From 2005 to 2009, he served as U.S. deputy assistant secretary of commerce for manufacturing. More recently, he served as the acting campaign manager for Doña Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez’s run for governor.
Before joining the Bush Administration in 2005, Estrada worked for Intel in Rio Rancho and then in Washington, D.C.
Estrada was born and raised in Las Cruces. He has bachelor’s degrees in finance and economics from New Mexico State University and a master’s degree in business from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
While in college, he interned in the office for then-U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M.
At this point, one other Republican is running for the PRC seat – former Doña Ana County Commissioner Kent Evans. One Democrat has entered the race — former Doña Ana County Commissioner and congressional candidate Bill McCamley. Two other Democrats, Doña Ana County Assessor Gary Perez and former Doña Ana County Commissioner Gilbert Apodaca, have said they are considering running.
As I’ve disclosed in the past, I’m friends with McCamley. Click here to read more about that.