Industry showers campaign funds on Lyons, who may be their future landlord

Elizabeth Miller

The campaign accounts of state land commissioner candidates Patrick Lyons, a Republican, and Stephanie Garcia Richard, a Democrat, tell remarkably different stories. Sixty percent of Lyon’s $268,000 – garnered from 172 donations – comes from companies or individuals employed in the oil and gas or agriculture industries, which are some principle sectors that do business with the State Land Office. Half of that amount, or thirty percent of his total funds, comes from companies that have active leases with the State Land Office. Those lessees are largely oil and gas companies, ranchers or dairy producers. Garcia Richard has raised $220,000 from 1,036 donors, 72 percent of which are $200 or less. Her big donors are primarily labor unions and tribes. Only 49 of her donors live outside New Mexico. Seven of her donors are ranchers, contributing a total of $3,875...MORE