Conservative Chaves County Commissioner Michael Perry officially launched his campaign Monday for New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands, offering voters a grounded, experienced alternative to what’s shaping up to be a far-left field of Democrat candidates.
Perry, a Roswell native with over two decades managing and protecting New Mexico’s lands and wildlife, is seeking the Republican nomination to bring what he calls “balance, common sense, and real-world experience” back to the Land Office. He previously served as Major of Southern Field Operations with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, and later as Assistant Land Commissioner under Republican Aubrey Dunn. Perry currently serves as Vice Chair of the Chaves County Commission and represents New Mexico on the National Association of Counties’ Public Lands Committee.
“The land in New Mexico is in my blood,” Perry said in his announcement. “I’ve protected it, fought for it, and managed it for over 20 years. I’m running because New Mexico deserves a Land Commissioner who knows the land, respects the people, and understands the responsibility.”
The Land Office controls nearly 9 million acres of surface land and 13 million mineral acres — with revenue from those lands generating over $2 billion annually for public education and other state programs. Perry argues that rural New Mexicans and working families are being ignored in favor of radical environmentalism and anti-industry politics.
“I’ve seen firsthand how far-left policies threaten our energy producers, farmers, ranchers, and educators,” Perry said. “We need someone who can responsibly manage our public lands without sacrificing jobs or crippling local economies.”
While Perry offers a resume rooted in land stewardship, the Democrat field is already stacking up with candidates pushing extreme progressive agendas.
State Rep. Matthew McQueen, a Santa Fe-area Democrat known for his combative and elitist style in the Legislature, has entered the race pledging to go after the oil and gas industry and expand burdensome regulations. McQueen has long been at odds with rural voices and has supported legislation undermining private landowners and energy producers.
Joining him is Jonas Moya, a Tucumcari rancher and former Biden administration appointee who’s expected to be a rubber stamp for federal overreach and climate mandates from Washington, D.C. Moya brings insider connections but little to suggest he’ll challenge the extreme environmentalist policies that have hurt working New Mexicans.
Also running is Juan Sanchez, a former Army Corps bureaucrat and consultant to the Acequia Commission, whose campaign leans heavily into climate activism and expanding government control of land and water usage.
Together, the three Democrats offer a vision of government-run land management more beholden to left-wing pressure groups than the farmers, ranchers, hunters, and energy workers who depend on New Mexico’s land for their livelihoods.
Perry says he’ll stand firm in defense of responsible energy development, private property rights, and keeping land productive for future generations.
“I’ve served in the field, in the Roundhouse, and in the State Land Office,” Perry said. “Now I’m ready to serve all New Mexicans — not just the ones who live in Santa Fe and push papers for a living.”
With Democrats turning the race into a contest of who can pander hardest to the environmental lobby, Perry’s entry gives voters a clear choice between common-sense stewardship and radical politics in the 2026 election.
Mike Perry is a great guy but in this 1-party corrupt state he probably doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell. Can alway hope, though!
Save our land.
Pray for this man who is a conservative and not one who is pushing progressive or woke policies! NM needs someone who will stand up for not only the people but the oil and gas industry , Native land, progress not ‘progressive’ policies that want to get rid of the natural gifts NM has to offer. Someone who has the future in mind to give NM a chance to survive the last several years of Democrat RULE. VOTE MICHAEL PERRY!
I will be praying for Michael Perry, I also will invoke the prayer to St Michael the archangel, defend us in battle, be our protector against the snare of the devil (democrats).
get out and vote repubs ! why do so many of you sit at home every election and let evil win ? VOTE
SE NM (& other rural areas of NM, I’m sure) always votes red but we cannot overcome libtard loons in the big cities. And in fact, the corruptocrats gerrymandered our Roswell district to include parts of Albuquerque & so Yvette Harrell lost & Vasquez “won”.
We need to f8ght to get voter ID implemented in New Mexico.
Jimmy said it right, if Republicans want to change our beloved state from at or near the bottom of the list, all registered Republicans need to get out and vote. We have lost so many winnable seats simply because Republican registered voters did not take the time to vote.
What people are missing in this battle for lands is in the article. Billions of dollars for programs and schools. Lots people don’t know that. Many comment out here that Repubs need to vote, we’ll duh. What we really need is VOLUNTEERS to get out the vote, to canvas, knock on doors and get the messge out. Please STOP putting this responsibility on others. STEP UP and VOLUNTEER. Nothing will change until New Mexicans take accountability and take action to change things. Yes, I have knocked on doors for years and volunteered to the point of a full time job- in terms of hours. We need more hands. Contact the state GOP office and offer to volunteer.
newmexico.gop
How much do you want to bet that the Republican Party of NM will not give this man one ‘cent’ for his campaign?
Why is it that instead of backing conservatives … they back professional Loser RINOs and even members of Code Pink?
I am a little contrary here. By no means am I a Democrat. I am a hunter and hunt on state trust land a lot. It seems to me that every time we put a rancher in as commissioner I find more locked gates, blocking access to state trust land. Its illegal, but they do it anyways. I would like to hear from this guy on the access issue. I am sure he will say whatever hes thinks will get him votes. Contrasting our current SL Commissioner, I have not agreed with all she had done. However, she has marked SL access points and done a decent job of providing hunting and recreational access. Will that be continued under a rancher in that seat? Or will we go back to the good old boy system we had for years? I am quite skeptical.