New Mexico Primary 2026: NM House of Representatives, District 66

Three Republicans are competing to represent a sprawling district in southeast New Mexico where much of the state’s oil and gas production occurs.

All three candidates, running to replace Rep. Jimmy Mason (R-Artesia), who retired earlier this year, said if elected, they hope to be a voice in Santa Fe on behalf of the state’s oil and gas epicenter, which has supported record state budgets crafted by Democratic majorities.

House District 66 covers parts of Eddy, Lea and Chaves counties, a roughly 4,700-square-mile area. The three candidates — LeAnne Gandy, Dan Lewis and Trinidad Malone — are all new to politics and have roots in oil and gas production.

No Democrat is running in the election this year. Republicans have held the seat since at least 2000, and they often run unopposed, according to Secretary of State data.

Source NM asked all three candidates about why they’re running and their visions for the district. Their answers below have been edited for length and clarity. 

LeAnne Gandy

LeAnne Gandy is a retired teacher and former superintendent at Lovington Municipal Schools. She comes from three generations of oil field workers and was born and raised on a ranch. 

“I decided to join the race because I believe that southeastern New Mexico needs a strong voice in Santa Fe, and I have the trifecta of real-world experiences in energy, education and agriculture,” she said.  “And I feel passionate about all three of those areas.”

What do you see as the biggest issue in House District 66?

Of course, energy is the livelihood in District 66. So we need to make sure we protect the oil and gas industry and stand up for the workers in that field. Oftentimes, that energy is misunderstood. My family has been in that industry for 76 years here in southeastern New Mexico, so I know the importance of this industry to our community.

What’s the most important issue facing New Mexico?

Energy is what powers our state. It’s what funds our state. So we need to make sure we’re talking and have all perspectives at the table.

Also education is a primary factor in New Mexico. Our children deserve only the best. I am a retired superintendent from Lovington. I’ve worked at the state level advocating for education, and I understand the real-world issues in education, so I want to be an advocate for our community about empowering our local teachers and educators to work together and collaborate and find real solutions to have better outcomes for our children.

If you’re elected, what is the first bill you would introduce?

I’m going to listen to my constituents and make sure that I hear their voices and understand everything that is involved with a quality way-of-life in our area, and make sure to advocate for that. So I’m going in with the agenda to make sure I’m your voice for our community. I will be a strong listener for our voters, and make sure their perspectives are alive and well in Santa Fe. I was born and raised on a ranch, so agriculture is in my blood. I understand that way of life and that heritage and will stand strong for water rights, farmers and ranchers, and the Second Amendment.

What’s your top choice for a committee?

I’m passionate about education, and I believe we need a superintendent voice, an education voice from our part of the state in Santa Fe. So I would love to be involved in education in a big way, also in energy. I’m also passionate about agriculture. 

What’s your strongest skill that makes you the best candidate for the race? 

I’ve had lots of relationships throughout the state, have made a lot of very strong connections and I am a good communicator. I believe in listening to others and making sure that our voice is heard, but I will be an excellent collaborator with everyone there.

Do you support paying state lawmakers, and would you accept a salary? 

I’m not running for a salary. I’m running to make sure that I am representing the voters who send me to Santa Fe. 

Dan Lewis

Dan Lewis has worked for 38 years for the Yates family, a major oil and gas dynasty in southeastern New Mexico, including as chief financial officer for over 50 companies it controls. He also spent 30 years officiating college football before deciding that was a job for someone “younger and skinnier.”

“That kind of left a little more time in my schedule. About that time, Jimmy Mason decided he was not going to run again, and that got the wheels turning,” he said. “Then a couple of local people that are pretty big in the political party here in southeastern New Mexico encouraged me to run.”

What do you see as the biggest issue in House District 66?

In our district, we always feel like a lot of the revenue that funds the state and education system comes from the oil and gas industry, and we think Santa Fe’s trying to do everything they can to fight the hand that feeds them with all the regulations. Let’s just say we don’t feel really appreciated as far as what Southeast New Mexico brings to New Mexico and the economy for New Mexico.

What’s the most important issue facing New Mexico?

I’m a little worried about the governor’s race and someone who is very, very left wing, and going to push a lot of left-wing agendas down our throats in Southeast New Mexico. We are clearly in the minority again and don’t have the power to stop a lot of things. There’s more conservative Democrats that were able to block some issues, Senate Bill 17 for the gun rights and then Senate Bill 18 regarding CO2 emissions. It really would have devastated a lot of the oil gas industry in New Mexico

If you’re elected, what is the first bill you would introduce?

This is my first experience here, and if I get elected, I’m gonna lean on the people around me. It’s kind of like if a new person comes as a new CFO of a company, you don’t want to immediately go in there and make changes. You want to be on the ground and understand what’s going on.

What’s your top choice for a committee?

I definitely would like to be on the Energy Committee. I’d definitely like to be on a budget committee. Judicial would be one that I would be interested in too, just because my wife [Fifth Judicial District Court Judge Anne Marie Lewis] is in that field.

What’s your strongest skill that makes you the best candidate for the race? 

I think I’m levelheaded. I’ve got all aspects in my game, whether you need someone to play good cop or bad cop. As a referee for college football, you learn to have a level head when everybody else is going crazy. 

Do you support paying state lawmakers, and would you accept a salary? 

That is a tough one, because I know a lot of the local people and Southeast New Mexico are against it. Part of me is like, well, it would give other people a chance. My wife and I, we’ve done well enough. But there’s some people that they’re automatically out of the race because they can’t afford to go to Santa Fe for two months without getting paid.

I would vote no on it [in November], but if it was successful, then I would accept the salary.

Trinidad Malone

Trinidad Malone, 37, owns multiple companies — including real estate, a towing company and oil and gas-related businesses — as well as two nonprofits supporting veterans and helping low-income families afford funeral expenses. He was raised in the district and worked in the oilfields after high school before enlisting to fight in the Afghanistan War, where he served for 10 years. 

“It’’s just time for my generation to get involved,” he said about his decision to run for office. 

What do you see as the biggest issue in House District 66?

It’s just going to be communication. District 66 is, you know, agriculture, oil and gas. So I think, from what I’ve gathered since I decided to run, [is] communication prior to the bills being proposed or implemented [is vital]. So it’s making sure that all District 66 is aware of what’s trying to be proposed and what’s possibly going to be implemented, so that local communities can better adapt. 

What’s the most important issue facing New Mexico?

Can’t speak on it. Stuff that faces New Mexico, it doesn’t involve me in the aspect of Eddy, Lea or Chaves County. So I don’t worry myself about stuff that doesn’t pertain to me or my area. The only other thing as far as New Mexico is, I guess, if you want me to say something, it’s going to be how they spend their money here in this state. I don’t care if it’s up north or down south, but in general, there needs to be better checks and balances here.

If you’re elected, what is the first bill you would introduce?

I mean, I won’t be introducing anything, but I can be the voice for everybody.

What’s your top choice for a committee?

Agriculture, veteran-based and oil and gas industry.

What’s your strongest skill that makes you the best candidate for the race? 

I was raised in the fields, from alfalfa to picking produce, watermelons, chile, branding cattle, I did 10 years in the military. I’m a businessman, first and foremost, and my entrepreneurship, my integrity and my leadership is going to be my biggest attribute.

Do you support paying state lawmakers, and would you accept a salary?

No.