Nominating Committee completes applicant review, forwarding two candidates to the Governor

The Nominating Committee for the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission has completed its review of applicants and has forwarded two candidates to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. The governor may appoint one of them to serve a six-year term beginning January 1.

Earlier this week, the Committee held two days of in‑person interviews with eight applicants. After completing the interviews and reviewing the candidates, the Committee voted to advance current Commissioner Gabriel Aguilera and Laura Sanchez in the nominating process. Commissioner Aguilera’s current four‑year term ends later this year.

The Committee began a six‑week recruitment period in July and received 28 applications. From there, candidates were selected to respond to a questionnaire designed to provide additional information about their qualifications. Throughout the process, the Committee reviewed applicants’ questionnaire responses, education, professional experience, and other requirements related to the commissioner role.

Candidate Backgrounds
Commissioner Aguilera, originally from Sunland Park, has nearly 20 years of experience in the energy sector, including 15 years at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, where he analyzed utility tariffs, generator interconnection issues, and market rules. Appointed to the Commission in January 2023, he represents New Mexico in regional energy policy as the regulatory chair of the Committee on Regional Electric Power Cooperation and as Chair of the Body of State Regulators. He is a registered Democrat.

Sanchez, originally from Deming, is an attorney with more than 20 years of experience in energy regulation, utility policy, and public finance in New Mexico and Arizona. She previously served as a staff attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council and held legal and leadership positions at PNM Resources (now TXNM Energy). She currently serves as chief general counsel at the New Mexico Office of the State Auditor. She is a registered Democrat.

The Commission’s two other current members are registered with the Democratic and Republican parties, respectively. State law requires that no more than two sitting commissioners belong to the same political party.

A full list of applicants—including resumes, cover letters, and questionnaire responses—is available online.

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