Lyons has poor animal, wildlife record
On Election Day Nov. 6, voters have the chance to elect a commissioner of public lands that will represent the broader interests of all New Mexicans. For voters who value the health and welfare of 9 million acres of state trust land, as well as the wildlife and functioning ecosystems those lands support, the best choice by far for Land Commissioner is Stephanie Garcia Richard.
Garcia Richard has always championed wildlife protection and land conservation. In the state House, she voted to ban gruesome, wasteful coyote killing contests. Garcia Richard has pledged to prohibit outdated, dangerous leghold traps used in the commercial fur trapping and carnivoreextermination industries on state trust lands. As state representative she has voted the right way on animal protection issues 100 percent of the time — including supporting statewide spay/neuter services and voting to improve New Mexico’s animal cruelty statute.
On the other hand, Garcia Richard’s opponent, Pat Lyons, has a comparatively abysmal record on animal and wildlife issues during his time in the New Mexico Senate. Here are some examples:
He opposed strengthening animal cruelty laws. In 1999, Senate Bill 339 successfully toughened criminal penalties for extreme animal abuse and neglect. Lyons was one of only five “no” votes on the Senate floor.
He refused to protect native wildlife. In 2001, House Bill 282 passed to provide for the conservation of previously unregulated native reptiles and amphibians, to ensure New Mexico’s state wildlife agency had the authority to take necessary action to prevent endangered species listings or extinction. Lyons was one of only nine “no” votes in the Senate.
He voted to allow animal torture in laboratories. In 2001, Senate Bill 35 sought to remove a blanket exemption in the state cruelty law that allowed laboratories and research facilities to conduct horrific experiments on animals, like chimpanzees and rabbits, outside of established industry protocols with no threat of sanction. Inexplicably, Lyons was one of only two “no” votes on this bill.
Experience is only as valuable as the outcomes of that experience. Stephanie Garcia Richard is a knowledgeable, reliable public servant with a proven record of advocacy for land conservation and animal protection — and she’s the candidate with the right kind of experience. That’s why Animal Protection Voters recommends Stephanie Garcia Richard for commissioner of public lands. JESSICA JOHNSON Chief legislative officer, Animal Protection Voters Santa Fe