GREEN VOTE 2026
THE GREEN VOTE 2026 CHOICE: SECRETARY OF STATE
MEET AMANDA LÓPEZ ASKIN
WHAT IS THE SECRETARY
OF STATE?
The Secretary of State is an elected state office, second in line of succession to the office of Governor after the Lieutenant Governor. The Secretary of State also plays a critical role in election administration, including running all statewide elections, keeping voter rolls, testing voting machines, and managing campaign finance reporting. They are essential to upholding the state's commitment to equitable and accessible democracy, and government ethics. With the Trump Administration and members of Congress prioritizing actions to weaken democracy and your ability to access polls, who we elect to Secretary of State could define how the state moves forward in the coming years.
Amanda López Askin is a proud public servant with deep roots in New Mexico, raised in Las Cruces by a hard working single mom. As Dona Aña County Clerk, she has lead with fairness and compassion while always ensuring the integrity of our elections. When our 2020 elections were under attack, Amanda perservered, combatting misinformation and pushing back on election deniers. Amanda is running for Secretary of State to bring her lived and professional experience to serve all New Mexicans by making sure our elections remain safe, secure, and fair, providing transparency in campaign finance and supporting New Mexico's businesses.
MEET JUAN DE JESUS SANCHEZ III
THE GREEN VOTE 2026 CHOICE: COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC LANDS
The State Land Office manages over 9 million surface and 13 million mineral acres across every county in the state and raises more than $2 billion annually, over 95% of which supports New Mexico's public education system through the Land Grant Permanent Fund. The mission of the NM State Land Office is to use state trust land to raise revenue for New Mexico's public schools, universities, and hospitals, as well as other public institutions. Revenue is raised through lease agreements for oil, gas, and mineral exploration, business and commercial operations including renewable energy projects, agriculture and livestock grazing, and outdoor recreation.
Leadership of the State Land Office is held by the Commissioner of Public Lands, who is elected by voters.
Juan De Jesus Sanchez III is a proud 13th-generation New Mexican with deep roots in the Land of Enchantment. Raised in a ranching family in Valencia and Socorro counties, Juan understands firsthand the importance of responsible land and water stewardship. As an heir to the historic Tomé Land Grant, his family’s history in New Mexico dates back to the 1730s. His upbringing—working on his family’s fifth-generation ranch, hauling hay, cleaning acequias, and herding cattle—instilled in him a lifelong respect for the land and a commitment to protecting it for future generations. Juan has a Master's in Water Resources from the University of New Mexico, and served as a Natural Resource Specialist and Ranger with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. At the New Mexico Acequia Commission, he also spent five years advocating for our state's traditional irrigation systems and the communities that rely on them.
WHAT IS THE STATE LAND OFFICE?