Public Regulation Commission, District 5

Sandy Jones, Democrat

District 5 covers most of the southwest quarter of the state, including Las Cruces, Silver City, Truth or Consequences, Deming and Lordsburg.

Incumbent Sandy Jones is finishing up his second non-consecutive term on the commission and is currently serving as the PRC’s chairman. Like Lovejoy, he has done a good job of balancing the interests of ratepayers and utility companies, forcing them to justify proposed rate increases and expenses they want to pass on to consumers. And Jones has been responsive to his constituents, holding about four dozen town halls in the communities he serves so residents can provide input on issues like proposed rate increases close to home rather than having to drive to Santa Fe to voice their concerns.

Jones says he has also worked hard to improve relationships among commissioners. And after Congress and President Donald Trump passed tax cuts that significantly reduced tax rates for corporations, the PRC made sure that PNM passed those anticipated savings on to its customers, Jones said. He is facing one opponent in the Democratic primary. The winner in that race will face Republican opposition in the general election.

The Journal endorses Sandy Jones for PRC, District 5, in the Democratic primary.