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State Sen. George Muoz, a conservative Democrat from Gallup, announced Tuesday hell seek the partys nomination for state land commissioner in the June primary election.

Muoz, 50, joins former State Land Commissioner Ray Powell Jr. and Garrett VeneKlasen, executive director of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, in the Democratic race.

Republican Aubrey Dunn Jr., who was elected land commissioner in 2014, is running for Congress instead of seeking re-election. Patrick Lyons, a former land commissioner now serving on the Public Regulation Commission, is seeking the GOP nomination for his old job.

In an interview Tuesday, Muoz said he decided to run for the land commissioners job because his son went to college out of state.

I can sense hes not going to be coming back, he said.

As land commissioner, Muoz said, he can ensure a steady revenue stream for public schools and that better schools will improve New Mexicos economy and its ability to retain young people.

Public schools are the chief beneficiaries of interest from the state Land Grant Permanent Fund. That fund receives revenue from leases of land managed by the State Land Office, which includes more than 9 million acres of surface and 13 million acres of minerals.

Asked whether he supports a proposed constitutional amendment to tap the permanent fund specifically for money for early childhood education, Muoz said, I think the permanent fund is good where its at.

Of the three Democratic candidates, Muoz is the most conservative, which could help him in rural parts of the state, especially if Powell and VeneKlasen divide the progressive vote. But Muoz told The New Mexican, I dont think we should be putting partisan labels in this race.

Both Powell and VeneKlasen have strong support from environmentalists. And in his announcement, Muoz sounded as if hes also pursuing support from the conservation and environmentalist communities, stressing his support for clean energy on public lands.

Lets build the largest solar farm in the country on state land, he said. Were on that path. Why not be in front of it? New Mexico, he said, has unlimited resources in solar and wind.

He said energy produced in New Mexico and transmitted to other states should be taxed to benefit this state.

In a news release, he described himself as an avid conservationist and sportsman, who understands the importance of protecting New Mexico public lands for future generations.

New Mexico Conservation Voters, which compiles annual rankings for legislators on environmental issues, gives Muoz just a 50 percent lifetime score, making him the third lowest-ranked Democrat in the Senate.

On the issue of climate change, Muoz said, The question is how much is natural and how much is caused by humans. He said he doesnt have the answer to that question.

Muoz, the son of former Gallup Mayor Ed Muoz, owns a construction and property management company in Gallup.

Elected to the Senate in 2008, hes a member of the Senate Finance Committee. In 2013, he and then-Rep. Luciano Lucky Varela, D-Santa Fe, led the legislative effort to shore up the finances of the state retirement system.

In 2010, Muoz successfully sponsored legislation that allows people with concealed-carry licenses to take their guns into restaurants with beer and wine licenses. The National Rifle Association in 2016 gave Muoz a 100 percent rating and sponsored an appreciation event for him last year at a Gallup restaurant.

During this years legislative session, Muoz led the charge against a bill that would have carved out an exception to state rules on renting property.

The legislation would have allowed the Children, Youth and Families Department to extend its lease on office space in Albuquerque. Muoz challenged the bill when it went through the Senate Finance Committee, and he blasted it as fishy and a sweetheart deal for somebody when it reached the Senate floor.

The bill passed the Senate, but four days later after The New Mexican began asking about more than $26,000 in political contributions from property owners to Gov. Susana Martinez and her political committees the administration pulled the bill, saying earlier claims of no political connections were an honest mistake.

Excerpt from:
Conservative Democrat Muoz running for State Land Office - Santa Fe New Mexican