NEW MEXICO Land Commissioner

Voter information below was obtained from the candidates’ websites and/or publicly available information.

 JUAN DE JESUS SANCHEZ IIIMICHAEL PERRY
Relevant experienceFormer 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 useEmphasizes 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 developmentWill 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 ratesDefends 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 bondsWill maintain the $150,000 minimum bonding requirement to protect against unpaid cleanup obligations.Will review the $150,000 minimum bonding requirement for appropriateness.
Renewable energySupports 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 drillingSupports 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 miningSupports 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 landWould 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 pipelineOpen 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.
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