PRC staff chief quits to run for office

SANTA FE (AP) - The chief of staff for the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission says he will resign to run for the Santa Fe County Commission after a federal opinion that remaining on the job would violate the federal Hatch Act.

That law prohibits public employees who administer federal funds from running for office in a partisan race.

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel says Dan Mayfield is subject to its provisions because the PRC received $680,000 in federal funds for pipeline and railroad safety and fire marshal programs, which Mayfield supervises.

The PRC also received $800,000 in federal stimulus money to hire two PRC staff members and to pay consultants.

Mayfield says he hasn't set an exact date for his resignation from the $100,000-a-year job.