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Kevin Sanders

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This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Kevin Sanders
Image of Kevin Sanders
Elections and appointments
Last election

November 6, 2018

Education

Bachelor's

Eastern New Mexico University

Law

University of New Mexico School of Law

Personal
Profession
Attorney
Contact

Kevin Sanders (Democratic Party) ran for election to the New Mexico Public Regulation Commissioner to represent District 2. He lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.

Sanders completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Sanders received a bachelor's degree in political science from Eastern New Mexico University in 2012 and a J.D. from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2015. His professional experience includes working as an attorney. His affiliations include the New Mexico State Bar Association and the New Mexico Bar Public Law Section Board of Directors.[1]

Elections

2018

See also: New Mexico Public Regulation Commission election, 2018

General election

General election for New Mexico Public Regulation Commission District 2

Jefferson Byrd defeated Kevin Sanders in the general election for New Mexico Public Regulation Commission District 2 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jefferson Byrd
Jefferson Byrd (R)
 
61.8
 
70,556
Image of Kevin Sanders
Kevin Sanders (D) Candidate Connection
 
38.2
 
43,598

Total votes: 114,154
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for New Mexico Public Regulation Commission District 2

Kevin Sanders advanced from the Democratic primary for New Mexico Public Regulation Commission District 2 on June 5, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Kevin Sanders
Kevin Sanders Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
15,620

Total votes: 15,620
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for New Mexico Public Regulation Commission District 2

Jefferson Byrd defeated Jerry Partin in the Republican primary for New Mexico Public Regulation Commission District 2 on June 5, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jefferson Byrd
Jefferson Byrd
 
54.2
 
12,139
Jerry Partin
 
45.8
 
10,270

Total votes: 22,409
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.


Campaign themes

2018

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Candidate Connection

Kevin Sanders participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on May 7, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Kevin Sanders's responses follow below.[2]

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

1. Increasing telecommunications service to under-served rural communities.

2. Encouraging renewable and consumer-owned energy sources.

3. Reducing conflicts of interest and increasing transparency of Commission processes.[3][4]

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

Net Neutrality is extremely important for rural communities. Simply put, we need more options to get connected. Telecommunication provides essential functions for rural folks in terms of business, education, and talking to friends and family. In addition, low population density leads to few providers willing to offer service. We need to move toward co-operative and municipal broadband service models, as an option to complement the existing market choices.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[4]

Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Kevin Sanders answered the following:

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was doing construction and carpentry with my father. This not only taught me about hard work, but also about personal integrity and pride of craftsmanship. If you are not proud of the job you are doing, the results will always show.[4]
What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?
The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission plays an important role in balancing interests. It is important that a Commissioner not only be free from material conflicts, but also open-minded and willing to consider uncomfortable facts. Good regulation is not partisan or ideologically entrenched.[4]
Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?
The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission is nominally executive, but also performs semi-legislative and semi-judicial functions. For example, the Commission takes laws passed by the legislature and promulgates administrative regulations. On the other side, the Commission enforces regulations by hearings which resemble court proceedings.[4]
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?
Yes. My experience at the Public Regulation Commission informs my understanding of the position, the relevant participants, and the process. My experience at the Federal Communications Commission gives me perspective into the concurrent jurisdiction between State and Federal government. My experience as a prosecutor gives me the impetus to stand up for what I believe is right. While I respect my opponents' private industry experience, I make no apologies for my public service background and the values it has instilled.[4]
What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?
This position requires tremendous attention to detail as well as sound judgment. My experience as an administrative lawyer and as a prosecutor gives me the skill-set to effectively advocate for my constituents, to know and follow the laws, and to write orders that withstand judicial review.[4]

See also

New Mexico State Executive Elections News and Analysis
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External links

Footnotes

  1. Information submitted on Ballotpedia's biographical information submission form on May 7, 2018
  2. Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
  3. Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "Kevin Sanders's responses," May 7, 2018
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.