Voters Urged to Support Candidate Matthew McQueen for Land Commissioner
Animal Protection Voters (APV), New Mexico’s leading political and legislative advocacy organization for animal protection, announced our endorsement of Matthew McQueen for New Mexico Land Commissioner in the 2026 general election. With his unparalleled record passing animal protection laws during five terms served in the State House of Representatives and his sharp vision for improving animal protection on public lands (in addition to vast experience in environmental law and land transactions), Representative McQueen resoundingly earned APV’s endorsement as the most qualified candidate for this critical statewide elected position.
The Commissioner of Public Lands manages 9 million surface acres of State Trust Land—including habitat for New Mexico’s native wildlife—to generate revenue for public education. This office is an open seat in the 2026 election, as the current Commissioner is term-limited and will not run for that office again.
Representative McQueen received APV’s endorsement based on his 100% score in ten out of the eleven state legislative sessions he has served as a Representative in the New Mexico Legislature and his sponsorship of critical animal protection legislation:
| 2025 • Sponsored HB 284—Humane Management of Free-Roaming Horses (passed then pocket vetoed) • Sponsor of SB 5—Game Commission Reform – which overhauled the Commission and Department of Game & Fish (passed and signed into law—with partial veto of certain language) |
| 2024 • Sponsored HB 178 to modernize the Dept. of Game & Fish and reform the State Game Commission |
| 2023 • Secured a $100,000 appropriation to the Equine Shelter Rescue Fund • Sponsored Game Commission reform (HB 184) & humanely managing free-roaming horses (SB 301) |
| 2021 • Sponsored SB 32—Wildlife Conservation & Public Safety Act aka Roxy’s Law which banned using traps, snares and poison on public lands |
| 2019 • Sponsored HB 366 – Wildlife Protection & Public Safety Act • Carried and led floor debate for SB 76 to ban coyote killing contests (passed and signed into law) |
| 2017 • Sponsored HB 254—Game Commission Legislative Appointments |
Among Representative McQueen’s most impressive legislative accomplishments was the passage of the Wildlife Conservation & Public Safety Act, aka “Roxy’s Law” which banned traps, snares, and poisons on public lands. After more than a decade of failed attempts by others to outlaw the use of these cruel and indiscriminate devices on public lands, McQueen spearheaded the successful passage of the law in 2021.
More recently, McQueen’s tenacious commitment to reforming New Mexico’s wildlife management system paid off in the passage of Senate Bill 5 in 2025. The bill, which was accompanied by $10.5 million appropriation (an amount never before appropriated for wildlife in New Mexico) exemplifies McQueen’s comprehensive approach to making government work more effectively for people, animals, and the environment.
As set out in SB 5, the Department of Game and Fish will become the Wildlife Department. Additionally, SB 5 reformed the process for appointing the Commissioners who oversee the Department’s work and renamed the Game Commission the Wildlife Commission, adding expertise and diversity to that body. These structural changes arguably would not have happened outside of McQueen’s long-term dedication to making New Mexico’s system of wildlife management protect all wildlife, not just those deemed valuable by “consumptive users”.
As Land Commissioner, McQueen sees opportunities for increasing protections for animals on state trust land by creating more wildlife crossings and transitioning state-owned land towards renewable energy to prevent further environmental damage. “Habitat destruction is the biggest driver of animal extinction. I’ve cared deeply about wildlife since I was a kid, and land conservation has been central to my professional career. As Land Commissioner, I will ensure that the State Land Office balances responsible development with conservation.”
“New Mexicans care about animal protection issues and seek out lawmakers who value the role animals play in our lives. We are delighted to endorse Representative McQueen for Land Commissioner,” said Stacy Sutton Kerby, Chief Government Affairs Officer for APV. “With his legislative and legal background, along with his vision for enhancing protections for animals on New Mexico’s state trust land, Representative McQueen is uniquely qualified to serve as Land Commissioner”.
Animal Protection Voters issues endorsements based on candidates’ records and positions on animal protection issues and not based on party affiliation.
