Pat Lyons Fundraising and Spending... But for What?

Land Commissioner Pat Lyons is stocking up on campaign cash ... for something. What, exactly, no one really knows.

New Mexico political blogger Joe Monahan writes that Lyons sent out a fundraising letter to supporters. Monahan was sent a fundraising letter from May by a Lyons supporter.

Lyons is asking for contributions of up to $1,000. The land commissioner has taken a major political hit over his cozy relationship with a land developer in Las Cruces, a relationship that has earned him the scorn of the editorial pages and put him squarely in the sights of Democratic Attorney General Gary King who has been eyeing Land Office activities.

The obvious political position Lyons would be angling for is that of governor in 2010. Lyons is term-limited in his role as land commissioner and will not be able to run for that office again after 2010. But where else would he be going?

Lyons has been mentioned as a potential 2010 candidate for governor for the Republicans. Lyons was the only Republican to win a statewide office in 2006, the last time the elections for state officials were held.

Lyons defeated former Albuquerque mayor Jim Baca in 2004 to be re-elected in his position as land commissioner.

This leak comes on the day where Lyons reached out to the media to defend himself on the questionable land deals which have got him in hot water lately. Lyons told The Las Cruces Sun-News the pending audit from the office of State Auditor Hector Balderas is only on the table because of politics.

Lyons' May 2008 financial report summary is available here or the full thing at the Secretary of State's Web site. Lyons spent more than $11,000 on campaign-related activities between May 2007 and 2008. Much of that was spent on "campaign flights" with Casey Aviation.

Since May 2007, Lyons has spent nearly $5,000 on flights with Casey Aviation. He lists a total of four expenditures on his campaign finance forms.

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