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K'BOBs franchise owner joins 2nd Congressional District race |
Article Source: http://www.lcsun-news.com/news/ci_7397424
Article was Launched: 11/07/2007 06:36:00 PM MST
By Diana M. Alba/Sun-News reporterLAS CRUCES - The owner of the K'BOBs Steakhouses franchise said Wednesday he plans to seek the 2nd Congressional District seat on the Republican ticket.
Meanwhile, at least two Democrats are expected to join the candidate field this week.
Ed Tinsley, 55, said U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce's decision to run for the Senate instead of seeking re-election to the House came as a surprise. However, Tinsley said, it "set the opportunity up" for him to run for Congress.
"I'm a believer that when doors close, other ones open," he said.
Tinsley said he's spent the past three and a half years as an officer for the National Restaurant Association. He said the role has taken him across the country and he's has encountered problems that need to be addressed - one of the reasons behind his decision to run for office.
"I found their were consistent concerns with different issues - whether it was health care, whether it was immigration reform, whether it was small business tax incentives - and it gave me the inspiration and the passion to go to the Hill to see if I could get things done on behalf of those interests," he said.
Tinsley owns the Flying W Ranch near Capitan, as well as a home in Santa Fe, where his restaurant franchise is headquartered. He acknowledged he's likely to face criticism from opponents because of his Santa Fe home, which is in a different congressional district. He said, however, he spends "probably 60 to 70 percent" of his time in Capitan, where offices for most of his businesses are housed.
Tinsley owns businesses related to the oil and gas industry in the southeastern part of the state, as well as real estate in Texas and New Mexico.
In a news release, Tinsley said his experience in the restaurant association prepped him for dealing with lawmakers in Washington, D.C.
It "gave me unparalleled experience in sitting down at the negotiating table with lawmakers to make sure the voices of my constituents were heard - from the voices of my constituents to the working mother in our restaurants," he said in a news release. "It helped me understand more about what it takes to get things done in Washington, or sometimes how to keep things from getting done in Washington."
Tinlsey ran unsuccessfully for the 2nd Congressional District seat in 2002.
Tinsley, who holds a law degree from Texas Tech University, is a member of the state bar associations of New Mexico and Texas. He said he began filing election papers Wednesday but said he'll make a formal announcement of his candidacy on Nov. 19.
Sid Goddard, chairman for the Republican Party of Doņa Ana County, said he's aware of about eight to 12 Republicans who are considering joining the race, but, other than Tinsley, none has stepped forward definitively yet. Potential candidates are likely gauging support, their competition and their odds, he said.
"I understand where they're coming from," he said.
Meanwhile, Harry Teague, a Democrat who owns oil-related businesses in Hobbs, plans to formally announce his candidacy today for the 2nd Congressional District. Also, Joe Campos, mayor of Santa Rosa, will join the race Friday.
Two candidates who were in the race before Pearce's decision were Democrats Doņa Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley and Al Kissling, a retired Presbyterian minister from Las Cruces.
State Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, has also said he's considering joining the race.
Diana M. Alba can be reached at
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