Ray Powell

Three Doña Ana County legislators who want to reform rules that govern the State Land Office have endorsed former Land Commissioner Ray Powell in his 2010 bid to regain the seat. Sen. Steve Fischmann and Reps. Jeff Steinborn and Nate Cote are all Democrats from Doña Ana County, where no-bid planning and development leases given [...]

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.

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.

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.

At least one state lawmaker who has been involved in attempts to reform the State Land Office is questioning whether an assistant commissioner’s disclosure of a conflict of interest on a 2003 form was sufficient. Several others say the state’s disclosure laws are in need of reform.

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.

Ray Powell, who was the New Mexico land commissioner from 1993 to 2002, says he will run for the office once again next year. The Democrat made the announcement in response to an e-mail asking if he will enter the race: “The short answer to your question is an enthusiastic YES in 2010!”