Errol Chavez

Santa Fe County Commissioner Harry Montoya formally announced his entrance into the Democratic primary for state land commissioner late Wednesday. “I believe it is time for a change in the New Mexico Land Office. I want to provide quality representation to the people of New Mexico,” he said in a news release announcing his candidacy.

Santa Fe County Commissioner Harry Montoya, a Democrat, says he is thinking about running for land commissioner. Montoya, who ran unsuccessfully for the 3rd Congressional District seat last year, confirmed in an e-mail his interest in the race, and said he’s looking at making an announcement later this month or early in October.

GOP activist Bob Cornelius announced today that he’s running for state land commissioner next year with the intent of diversifying the state’s energy industry and reducing regulation.

Former state Attorney General Patricia Madrid confirmed today that she’s considering running for land commissioner next year.
“Always thinking of options and this is one of them, but way too soon to contemplate details,” Madrid wrote in response to an e-mail asking if she’s thinking about running for land commissioner.

A retired law-enforcement agent who lives in Las Cruces is the second Republican to confirm that he’s running for land commissioner next year.
Errol Chavez, 60, said in a phone interview that he is running because he has been disappointed with “poor strategy” and “infighting” that has hampered the GOP in recent elections.