The commissioner runs the state’s trust land, which earns money for schools, mostly from oil and gas. Most of what each says comes from Source New Mexico and KUNM Q&As. Neither campaign had answered our questions by Oct. 15.
Juan Sanchez
Democrat
Running for the open seat. Hadn't answered our questions by Oct. 15.
Michael Perry
Republican
Running for the open seat. Hadn't answered our questions by Oct. 15.
Where they differ
Data centers on state land
Differ
What they said
Perry said, “I am not for data centers on state land. I think we can have better uses.” Sanchez said he will advocate “for very strict guardrails around data centers” and listed six conditions, including that they be “off grid and at least 50% renewable energy from the offset.”
Uranium
Differ
What they said
Perry called the ban “just a political move, honestly,” adding, “I’m not saying I’m for it, but I’m saying let’s look at the area.” Sanchez pointed to “dozens and dozens of uranium mines that need to be cleaned up.”
Oil and gas revenue
Differ
What they said
Perry told KUNM, “You cannot replace $2.5 billion a year.” Sanchez said oil and gas produce “about 97% of the funds” and he’d like to reduce that share, though “oil and gas isn’t going anywhere.”
Chaco Canyon
Same goal, different approach
What they said
Perry said of the federal decision, “I can’t do anything against it. But I do support protections on state land.” Sanchez said the office “will not cooperate in any way” if protections are removed.
Oil and gas bonding
Same goal, different approach
What they said
Sanchez said, “I wholeheartedly support the current bonding rule proposed.” Perry said, “I think the bonding needs to be increased,” but he hasn’t researched the proposed numbers enough to say if they’re right.
Project Jupiter
Same goal, different approach
What they said
Sanchez said it is “worth sitting back at the table and negotiating more strongly with Project Jupiter.” He also criticized the process: “That’s not the way government should be working.” Asked by Source NM about the Project Jupiter pipeline, Perry said the current commissioner “is going against her fiduciary responsibility, which is to make money for the schools, by not allowing that right-of-way.” He also said he is not for data centers on state land.
Outdoor recreation and staffing
Same goal, different approach
What they said
Sanchez wants to “decentralize the office.” Perry’s site says he “strongly supports public access to state trust lands for hunting, fishing, recreation, and cultural uses,” without naming a new office or staff.
Where they agree
Green energy
Agree on goals, no plan
What they said
Perry said, “I absolutely support green energy.” Sanchez said, “We need to continue to increase our renewable energy opportunities.”
Only one has said
Wildfire and watersheds
Only Perry
Sanchez
Hasn’t said
Perry
Calls forest and habitat restoration his "absolute No. 1 initiative"
Source · Source New Mexico Q&A
What they said
Perry said the land should be cared for first: “I think we need to take better care of the land first, and then make money off of it second.” Sanchez didn’t address wildfire in the Q&A.
Issue photos: Data centers on state land, stock photo by Brett Sayles · Pexels License.
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