Aubrey Dunn Jr.

Aubrey Lyle Dunn Jr. (born 1955 or 1956) is an American politician and banker from the state of New Mexico. He served as New Mexico commissioner of public lands from 2015 to 2019, and was a candidate for the U.S. Senate in the 2018 election.[2] Elected as a Republican, Dunn switched parties to Libertarian in January 2018, making him the first Libertarian holder of a statewide elected office in the United States.[3][4]

Aubrey Dunn Jr.
27th Public Lands Commissioner of New Mexico
In office
January 1, 2015 – January 1, 2019
GovernorSusana Martinez
Preceded byRay Powell
Succeeded byStephanie Garcia Richard
Personal details
Born (1956-01-21) January 21, 1956
Alamogordo, New Mexico, U.S.
Political partyIndependent (2021–present)[1]
Other political
affiliations		Republican (before 2018)
Libertarian (2018–2021)
SpouseRobin Dunn
Children3
ParentAubrey Dunn Sr.
EducationColorado State University (BS)
WebsiteCampaign website

Early life and education

Dunn was born in Alamogordo, New Mexico, the son of politician Aubrey Dunn Sr. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science from Colorado State University.

Career

Dunn worked for 25 years in the banking industry including 10 years as CEO and president of First Federal Bank of New Mexico. In 2008, he was an unsuccessful candidate for Congress in New Mexico's 2nd congressional district. He lost in the Republican primary to Edward R. Tinsley, who went on to lose the general election to Harry Teague.[5]

Dunn was elected as New Mexico commissioner of public lands in the 2014 election as the Republican nominee. In January 2018, he left the Republican Party and switched his voter registration to Libertarian.[3] Dunn announced his candidacy as a Libertarian for U.S. Senate in early-2018.[4] He withdrew from the race in July, stating that he was leaving the race because he needed to concentrate his time and effort on his duties as land commissioner.[6] He was replaced on the ballot by former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson.

In 2021, Dunn announced his candidacy for the 2021 New Mexico's 1st congressional district special election, running as an independent.[7] He faced State Representative Melanie Stansbury and State Senator Mark Moores in the June 1 election.[8] Dunn received less than 3% of the total vote.[9]

Personal life

Dunn Jr. is the son of late New Mexico state senator Aubrey Dunn Sr., who served in the legislature from 1965 until 1980 as a Democrat.[10] His wife, Robin Dunn, ran for Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico as a Libertarian with Bob Walsh.[11] His son, A. Blair Dunn, ran for Attorney General as a Libertarian.[12]

Electoral history
Year Office Party Votes for Dunn % Opponent Party Votes %
2012 New Mexico State Senate, District 39 Republican 8,195 44.7% Phil Griego Green tickY Democratic 10,148 55.3%
2014 New Mexico Land Commissioner Green tickY Republican 250,185 50.1% Ray Powell Democratic 249,481 49.9%
2018 Libertarian primary for 2018 U.S. Senate in New Mexico Green tickY Libertarian 623 100% Unopposed, withdrew before the general election
2021 New Mexico's 1st congressional district special election Independent 3,524 2.7% Melanie Stansbury[lower-alpha 1] Green tickY Democratic 79,208 60.3%

See also

Notes
  1. Republican Mark Moores received 46,977 votes (35.7%) and Libertarian Chris Manning received 1,736 (1.3%).[13]

References
  1. Metzger, Bryan (12 May 2021). "Party insiders' choice likely to keep Haaland's seat for years". New Mexico In Depth. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  2. Mexican, Chris Quintana | The New. "Recount confirms Dunn's win as land commissioner". The Taos News.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. Andrew Oxford, The New Mexican. "Dunn switches to Libertarian Party".
  4. "Libertarian Party gets a boost in NM – The NM Political Report". nmpoliticalreport.com. 30 January 2018.
  5. "Primary election returns" (PDF). www.sos.state.nm.us=. June 3, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 21, 2014. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  6. Boyd, Dan (July 30, 2018). "NM Land commissioner explains reasons for U.S. Senate race exit". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, NM.
  7. Chief, Dan Boyd | Journal Capitol Bureau. "Gov's office staffer, ex-land commissioner join CD1 fray". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  8. "Energy, voting rights loom in congressional special election". AP NEWS. 2021-04-14. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  9. Greenwood, Max (June 1, 2021). "Democrat Stansbury wins special election for Haaland's House seat". The Hill. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  10. Terrell, Steve. "Libertarian candidate Johnson gaining allies from N.M. GOP". The New Mexican.
  11. Toulouse Oliver, Maggie (January 4, 2021). "Statewide Offices & Questions". New Mexico Secretary of State. Archived from the original on June 13, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  12. Toulouse Oliver, Maggie (November 6, 2018). "Statewide Offices & Questions". New Mexico Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 19, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  13. Wilham, T.J. (May 10, 2021). "Stansbury attacked from all sides in special election debate". KOAT-TV Albuquerque. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
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