Land commissioner files to run for PRC

SANTA FE (AP) - Land Commissioner Pat Lyons was among a crowded field of candidates to file Tuesday for seats on New Mexico's utility regulatory agency.

Lyons, who can't run again because of term limits, is seeking
the GOP nomination for the District 2 position on the Public Regulation Commission. The district covers much of eastern and southeastern New Mexico. Also running for the GOP nomination is Robert Corn, a retired magistrate and former state legislator from
Roswell.

Tularosa businesswoman Stephanie DuBois is seeking the
Democratic nomination. She was the Democratic nominee in 2006 but lost in the general election to Republican David King, who can't seek re-election because of term limits.

Tuesday was the filing deadline for the PRC, the Legislature, county and some judicial offices.

The PRC regulates electric, gas and water utilities, as well as
some telecommunications, transportation, pipeline and insurance companies.

More than a dozen candidates are running for two other PRC seats.

Democrat Carol Sloan filed for re-election in District 4, which
covers northwestern New Mexico. Four Democrats are challenging her in the June 1 primary election: former Gallup Mayor George Galanis, Theresa Becenti-Aguilar, Andrew Leo Lopez of Albuquerque and Hank Hughes, executive director of the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness. Republican Gary Montoya is unopposed in the primary.

Six Republicans and two Democrats filed for an open seat in PRC District 5, which covers south-central and southwestern New Mexico. Incumbent Democrat Sandy Jones is not seeking re-election and instead is running for land commissioner.

The GOP candidates are former PRC member Tony Schaefer, Otero County Commissioner Doug Moore, Las Cruces businessman Jamie Estrada, former Dona Ana County Commissioner D. Kent Evans, Ben Hall of Ruidoso and Robert P. Maez.

District 5 Democratic candidates are former Dona Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley and Ronald Rees of Las Cruces.