About Stephanie

Stephanie Garcia Richard is a proven leader who has transformed the role of New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands and delivered real results for the people of New Mexico. Elected in 2018 as the first woman and first Latina to hold the office, she has raised over $15 billion for public schools, increased renewable energy production on state trust lands by over 600%, and launched affordable housing projects to help address the state’s housing crisis.

Stephanie’s leadership has been defined by her unwavering commitment to public service, transparency, and protecting New Mexico’s lands for future generations. Under her watch, the State Land Office has won two national awards for Top Workplace, a testament to her efforts to reform and modernize state government.

A fearless advocate for New Mexico values, Stephanie has consistently stood up to federal overreach—most notably pushing back against Trump-era efforts to fast-track oil and gas drilling near culturally and environmentally sensitive areas like Chaco Canyon. She has demanded accountability from industry and ensured that development on state lands aligns with community needs, climate goals, and long-term sustainability.

Before serving as Land Commissioner, Stephanie represented her community for three terms in the New Mexico House of Representatives, where she chaired the House Education Committee and championed investments in public education. She was born in Tucumcari, raised in Silver City, earned her degree from Barnard College, and received her teaching license from California State University.

  • Public Land Commissioner, State of New Mexico

  • Vice-Chair, New Mexico State Investment Council

  • 2025 Luminaria Award, Conservation Voters New Mexico

  • Top Workplace Awards, Albuquerque Journal and USA Today (for 3 years in a row)

  • New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs award for cultural properties protection rule

  • Teaching license, California State, Los Angeles

  • Bachelor of Arts, Barnard College, Columbia University

  • Silver City High School (Go Fighting Colts!)

Accomplishments as Public Land Commissioner:

  • Record revenues for public beneficiaries
    Led the Land Office to raise over $1 billion for New Mexico public schools, universities, and hospitals. During her tenure, total revenue has exceeded $15 billion, benefiting public schools in New Mexico.

  • Renewable Energy Expansion
    Created the Office of Renewable Energy, codified by legislation in 2023. Renewables under lease ballooned from ~400 MW in 2019 to approximately 2,700 MW across dozens of projects by 2025—a nearly seven‑fold increase.

  • Community Solar Leasing
    Initiated the first community solar lease on state trust lands in Sept 2024. By early 2025, approved six more solar leases totaling ~30 MW, capable of powering ~6,000 homes, and by mid‑2025 signed a tenth such lease in Otero County.

  • Protecting Greater Chaco Region
    Issued a moratorium on new oil/gas/mineral leases across ~72,800 acres near Chaco Canyon. In 2023 she extended the moratorium until 2043, safeguarding ~113 square miles of sacred landscapes.

  • Cultural Resource Protection
    Established the first Cultural Properties Protection Rule, requiring site surveys before land disturbance on state trust lands, especially in the Greater Chaco region where most lands remain unsurveyed.

  • Caja del Rio Conservation Order
    Issued an Executive Order banning mineral leasing, major transmission lines, and large developments on state‐owned lands across the Caja del Rio Plateau (≈3,500 surface + 5,500 mineral acres), effective through 2044.

  • Accountability & Environmental Compliance
    Launched the Accountability & Enforcement Program and an Environmental Compliance Office. To date, compelled operators to plug over 700 abandoned oil/gas wells on state trust lands, saving taxpayers at least $62 million in cleanup costs.

  • Higher Royalty Rates for Oil & Gas
    Advocated halting lease sales on premium Permian Basin parcels until the legislature passed a bill raising top royalty rates from 20% to 25%. The legislation passed committee and was sent to the governor for approval in early 2025, projected to add $50–75 million annually to state revenues and boost long‑term distributions to the Land Grant Permanent Fund.

  • Recognition & Workplace Culture
    In Feb 2025, received the Luminaria Award from Conservation Voters New Mexico for her leadership in modernizing land management. Under her leadership, the State Land Office was three times named a Top Workplace.