| Relevant experience |
Former Army Corps of Engineers natural resources specialist, Acequia Commission employee, and political director for Sen. Martin Heinrich. |
Former assistant land commissioner, longtime wildlife professional, and current Chaves County commissioner. Emphasizes practical land management experience. |
| Overall land use |
Emphasizes more government control in preserving land and water, supporting rural economies, expanding recreation, and protecting cultural resources. |
Emphasizes balancing agriculture, energy, commercial development, conservation, and recreation, with approaches tailored to individual communities. |
| Oil and gas development |
Will increase requirements for land protection and community health. |
Believes New Mexico could earn more with a streamlined approach to paperwork and better policies. |
| Oil and gas royalty rates |
Defends the 25% rate for prime leases, arguing strong auction results show companies are willing to pay it. |
Will review higher state royalties to promote competitive advantage and impact on royalties. |
| Cleanup bonds |
Will maintain the $150,000 minimum bonding requirement to protect against unpaid cleanup obligations. |
Will review the $150,000 minimum bonding requirement for appropriateness. |
| Renewable energy |
Supports expanding wind, solar, storage, transmission, and geothermal to diversify revenue. |
Supports all forms of energy production. Wants renewable companies to pay rates comparable to fossil fuel companies. |
| Chaco-area drilling |
Supports the 10-mile protection area and would deny cooperation through state-land easements or infrastructure if federal protections were removed. |
Supports protections on state land and consultation with local residents; stresses that federal land decisions are outside his direct control. |
| Uranium mining |
Supports keeping the uranium mining ban and prioritizing cleanup of existing uranium mining sites. |
Would consider proposals individually, including location and community concerns, rather than commit to a blanket ban. |
| Data centers on trust land |
Would consider data centers conditionally: community input, water protections, labor agreements, at least 50% renewable energy, off-grid operation, and bonding. |
Opposes locating data centers on state land because their footprint displaces other uses. |
| Project Jupiter gas pipeline |
Open to renegotiating access if the alternative is routing around state land; seeks stronger conditions. |
Criticizes denying the state-land right-of-way, arguing it sacrifices revenue and causes a longer, more disruptive route. |
| Campaign Website |
Visit Campaign Website → |
Visit Campaign Website → |
