Aubrey Dunn Jr.

Aubrey Dunn Jr. (born 1955/56) is an American politician and banker from the state of New Mexico. He had 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.[1] 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.[2][3]

Aubrey Dunn
27th New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands
In office
January 1, 2015 – January 1, 2019
GovernorSusana Martinez
Preceded byRay Powell
Succeeded byStephanie Garcia Richard
Personal details
Born1955/1956 (age 64–65)
Alamogordo, New Mexico, U.S.
Political partyRepublican (before 2018)
Libertarian (2018–present)
Spouse(s)Robin Dunn
Children3, including A. Blair Dunn
ParentsAubrey Dunn Sr.
EducationColorado State University (BS)

Career

Dunn was born in Alamogordo, New Mexico. He graduated from Colorado State University, receiving a bachelor's degree in animal science. Prior to serving as the Commissioner of Public Lands, he 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.[4]

Dunn was elected as New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands in the 2014 elections as the Republican nominee. In January 2018, he left the Republican Party and switched his voter registration to Libertarian.[2] Dunn announced his candidacy as a Libertarian for U.S. Senate in early 2018.[3] He withdrew in July, stating that he was leaving the race because he needed to concentrate his time and effort on his duties as land commissioner.[5] He was replaced on the ballot by former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson.

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.[6] His wife, Robin Dunn, for Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico as a Libertarian with Bob Walsh.[7] His son, A. Blair Dunn, ran for Attorney General as a Libertarian.[8]

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 Y Democratic 10,148 55.3%
2014 New Mexico Land Commissioner Y Republican 250,185 50.1% Ray Powell Democratic 249,481 49.9%
2018 Libertarian primary for 2018 U.S. Senate in New Mexico Y Libertarian 623 100% Unopposed

See also

References
  1. "Recount confirms Dunn's win as land commissioner".
  2. Andrew Oxford, The New Mexican. "Dunn switches to Libertarian Party".
  3. "Libertarian Party gets a boost in NM - The NM Political Report". nmpoliticalreport.com.
  4. "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.
  5. Boyd, Dan (July 30, 2018). "NM Land commissioner explains reasons for U.S. Senate race exit". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, NM.
  6. Terrell, Steve. "Libertarian candidate Johnson gaining allies from N.M. GOP". The New Mexican.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
Political offices
Preceded by
Ray Powell		 Public Lands Commissioner of New Mexico
January 1, 2015 – January 1, 2019		 Succeeded by
Stephanie Garcia Richard
Party political offices
First Libertarian nominee for
U.S. Senator from New Mexico (Class 1)
Withdrew
2018		 Succeeded by
Gary Johnson
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