Long-standing Land Office reform leaders Rep. Nate Cote, Sen. Steve Fischmann, and Rep. Jeff Steinborn unite to support Ray Powell for Land Commissioner.

SANTA FE (Monday, February 15, 2010). Ray Powell, former State Land Commissioner and candidate for the office, has called for reform of the State Land Office and has the backing of three important state legislators. Powell says “the State Land Office is in very serious trouble and the public’s trust has been severely eroded.” He continued,” I have a ten year record of honest and ethical service at the Land Office and I know how to re-establish trust from day one.”

State legislators who have been leaders calling for State Land Office reform are standing in support of Ray Powell for Land Commissioner. Today, Senator Steve Fischmann, and Representatives Jeff Steinborn and Nate Cote announced their support for Ray Powell because of his commitment to reforming the state land office and re-establishing an open and transparent administration.

In 2008 these three Dona Ana County lawmakers proposed legislation to reform the Land Office to improve accountability and transparency in the land office dealings. The bills came in response to the land office’s handling of a controversial land exchange on Las Cruces’ East Mesa. They led the charge to get the Attorney General and State Auditor to scrutinize the Land Office.

“Ray Powell is the reform candidate. He’s who I trust. It’s no question that we need him back at the Land Office,” says Senator Steve Fischmann.

“The stakes are high. With Ray, he’ll bring much needed stability back to the Land Office,” says Rep. Jeff Steinborn. “He’s ethical, principled and knows how to work with communities to maximize the dollars returned to the land office and ultimately our schools.”

Representative Nate Cote continues, “When Ray Powell served as land commissioner, he was recognized for running one of the best land management agencies in the country. Right now, the Land Office is in crisis, and we are desperately in need of leadership we can trust.”

Powell said “It’s an honor to have the support of Senator Steve Fischmann and Representatives Jeff Steinborn and Nate Cote. These legislators have been instrumental in exposing the behind-the-scene deals happening at the Land Office. I’m eager to clean the place up. I look forward to working with these outstanding leaders to ensure real reform is enacted to protect our public lands and the significant revenues they generate for our public schools, universities, and hospitals.”

Ray Powell is running for Land Commissioner on a platform of reforming the State Land Office, creating economic development, and conserving and protecting New Mexico’s valuable public lands.

Ray Powell served as Land Commissioner from 1993-2002 and worked with opposing groups to find common interests and solve problems. His accomplishments won praise from business and agriculture groups, sportsmen, academic researchers, and conservationists.

Ray Powell is a veterinarian and currently works as a regional director for the Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife Research Education and Conservation in the western United States.

Ray Powell is running in the Democratic Primary against Sandy Jones, Harry Montoya, and Mike Anaya.