Matthew Chandler
As five candidates battle for the GOP nomination for governor, Republicans are quietly working to fill other slots on the ballot as well. The newest discussions center around the possibility of 9th Judicial District Attorney Matthew Chandler running against Democratic Attorney General Gary King.
“For the past several weeks, we have been contacted by many people who want to see Matt Chandler run for attorney general,” state GOP spokeswoman Janel Causey said. “We’ve discussed the race with him and believe he would be a phenomenal candidate.”
“We are impressed with his credentials and encouraged by the conversations we’ve had with him,” she said. “We expect him to make a final decision soon.”
Chandler, whose jurisdiction includes Curry and Roosevelt counties, was elected to the position in November 2004. The immediate resignation of his predecessor led Gov. Bill Richardson to appoint Chandler to the job that month, so Chandler took office a few weeks before his elected term was scheduled to begin.
“I am confident that he will be an effective D.A. who will protect the citizens of the 9th District,” Richardson said at the time.
Chandler has spent the majority of his legal career as a prosecutor. He earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Eastern New Mexico University and his law degree from the University of Tulsa.