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Tinsley Lands Big Endorsement |
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Roswell Daily Record
Lauren E. Toney
New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands, Patrick H. Lyons, traveled to Roswell with Ed Tinsley on Wednesday to formally announce he is endorsing the Republican candidate for the state's 2nd Congressional District.
Commissioner Lyons, who recently made history by being the only Republican to hold the office for two consecutive terms, stated he is endorsing Tinsley because of the candidate's connection to and experience with the land.
"He's connected through ranching communities, through the oli and gas industry and through being a small businessman," Lyons said. "He knows that if you take care of the land, it'll take care of you."
The commissioner added that because Tinsley has been in both the ranching and oil and gass industries for about 30 years, he understands the land, and the issues facing rural communities better than other candidates for the GOP nomination.
A Capitan rancher and restaurant owner, Tinsley said those issues include promoting small businesses and aiding the region's prominent oil and gas and agriculture communities.
Tinsley stated the New Mexico oil and gas industry builds the foundation for the nation's energy policy and is one of the top producers of crude oil and natural gas in the U.S. "We have a tremendous opportunity to set a tone and a pattern for how we can become energy independent, " he said. "We must get out from under the thumb of foreign crude oil sources that dictate what oru prices at the pump could or should be."
The candidate added that individuals in the oil and gas industry should be thanked for their hard work despite many obstacles such as endangered species. "Those are things we continually throw at industry, yet they continue to stand tall to keep production up," he said.
Tinsley recalled having to stop drilling for the breeding season of the prairie chicken, and said he understands the negative impacts that has on the industry. "We need (a congressman) who understands it from that perspective," he said.
As for his solution, Tinsley said, all forms of renewable energy must be explored. "But in the short term, what we have to do is look at how we can work with our domestic oil and gas companies to drill more public lands in environmentally sensitive ways, but not in an unreasonable manner in which we are always introducing obstacles," he said, adding that offshore opportunities must be explored as well.
Tinsley stated it's also important for the 2nd Congressional District representative to understand ranching families and their challenges and contributions to the region.
Because small businesses, including ranches and small oil and gas companies, comprise about 70 percent of the nation's economy, Tinsley said, "Small businesses and the families behind each one of those are the heartbeat behind the cornerstone of the American dream." He added, however, that legislation, taxation and regulation have dampened that spirit and a congressman who understands small business owners will help to improve those conditions.
Tinsley said of Lyons' endorsement, "Any time a leader in your party and a leader in the state steps forward and identifies that you're the right candidate to best represent the interest of our district it's a huge honor."
Lyons is the highest ranking Republican in the state's executive branch.
Tinsley has also been endorsed by former Gov. Garrey Carruthers.
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