Artesia banker seeks GOP nomination for state treasurer
An Artesia banker is running for state treasurer as a Republican.
Jason Hessler, 41, a political newcomer who is senior vice president and trust division manager for First American Bank in Artesia, is the only Republican to say he will challenge incumbent Democrat Tim Eisenberg, a former state senator from Albuquerque who was elected to the state office in 2014. Eisenberg faces no opposition in the Democratic primary so far.
“Our State Treasurer needs to be a responsible steward of the state’s funds. There are many common-sense reforms that can move our state forward and will set us on a path toward fiscal prosperity,” Hessler said in a news release from the state GOP. “New Mexico needs a savvy fiduciary on its side. As state treasurer, I will protect and grow our assets to ensure the future of education and critical projects for our state.”
Hessler has more than 19 years of experience in financial services, including work in estate planning and investment advising. He’s worked in Artesia since November 2013. Before that, Hessler worked for a bank in Elkhart, Ind.
He’s also a lawyer, earning a degree from Indiana University School of Law in 2005. He received his undergraduate degree in financial planning from Purdue University in Indiana. Hessler, who is married and has three sons, is a six-year veteran of the Indiana Air National Guard.