b'State ReportConvention & Trade Show Senator Pope Announces Bidfor Lieutenant Governor:State Senator Harold Pope Jr. announced a campaign for lieutenant governor, setting up a democratic primary clash with outgo-ing Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia. Harold Pope Jr State Representative Matthew McQueenEnters NM Land Commissioner Race:Six-term state representative Chairman of House Energy Matthew McQueen isentering the race for New Mexico LandCommissioner, setting up an increasingly crowded 2026 contest for the statewide office. Two other Democrats have already launched campaigns for land commissioner: former Matthew McQueen state Democratic Party official Juan Sanchez and former Biden appointee Jonas Moya.Republican Michael Perry Joins the Race for NM Public Lands Commissioner:Michael Perry, a retired New Mexico state government worker, game warden and county-level elected official has entered the race for New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands. A Roswell High School graduate, Perry serves on the Chaves County Commission as its vice chair, in the third year of his first term. He also sits on the National Association of CountiesMichael PerryPublic Lands Policy Steering Committee.Oil and Gas Revenue Shows the State Took in Rio Rancho Pharmacist Announces Run for Congress:$480M More Than Projected: A Rio Ranco pharmacist and business owner, New Mexico took in $480M more in the just-ended budget Ndidiamaka Didi Okpareke, announced year than previously projected, giving lawmakers more wiggleshe plans to run as a Republican candidate room to respond to federal reductions to health care and food for New Mexicos 1st Congressional District assistance programs.seat in 2026.But the projected decrease in oil prices and a tepid outlook forThe 1st Congressional District includesfuture job growth could signal a looming slowdown to the statessome of the states densest metro areas, recent revenue boom, top state budget officials told lawmakersrepresenting the bulk of Albuquerque and during a recent committee hearing. Ndidiamaka Didi Rio Rancho. The seat is currently held by Okpareke Melanie Stansbury. Sonya Smith Enters Race Former New Mexico Congresswoman Herrellfor Secretary of State: Appointed to Federal Post:A former Cabinet Secretary in Governor Michelle Lujan Grishams administrationFormer New Mexico congresswoman has entered New Mexicos secretary of stateYvette Herrell has been appointed to race, setting a stage for a three-way Demo- a Trump administration post (assistant cratic primary next year. She joins fellowsecretary for congressional relations in the Democrats Amanda Lopex Askin, the DonaU.S. Department of Agriculture). Herrell Anna County Clerk; Katherine Clark, thehas confirmed she will not run for the Sonya Smith Santa Fe County Clerk; and Sonya Smith, a2025 2nd Congressional District seat. former U.S. Air Force and Gulf War veteran. SWPMA News / Fall 202541'