CAPITAN N.M. National Restaurant Association gave him “unparalleled experience” in helping constituents and strengthened his newly announced bid for election to the U.S. House of Representatives. —Ed Tinsley III says his recent service as chairman of the
Tinsley, owner of the 19-unit K-Bob’s Steakhouse brand operating in four Southwestern states, announced Nov. 7 that he will seek the Republican nomination for New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District. The seat, which represents a southern portion of the state, currently is held by Republican Rep. Steve Pearce, who plans to run for the U.S. Senate seat left open with the retirement of Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M. —Ed Tinsley III says his recent service as chairman of the
Tinsley said health care, small businesses, family tax relief and the safety of Americans are priority issues he will champion. His formal announcement was planned for Nov. 19. —Ed Tinsley III says his recent service as chairman of the
Tinsley, owner of a cattle ranch in Capitan, Lincoln County, N.M., said, “I want to take my experience in ranching, the hospitality industry, and the oil and gas business and put it to work for the people of the 2nd District. —Ed Tinsley III says his recent service as chairman of the
“I will ensure that our values are represented and protected in Washington, D.C.,” he said. “My most recent experience as the chairman of the National Restaurant Association gave me unparalleled experience in sitting down at the negotiating table with lawmakers to make sure the voices of my constituents were heard—from the small-business owner to the working mother in our restaurants.” —Ed Tinsley III says his recent service as chairman of the
Tinsley is the first Republican to enter the race for the congressional seat. He ran unsuccessfully for the seat in 2002, but lost to Pearce in the primaries. Political pundits have mentioned as other potential GOP candidates for the New Mexico seat state Senate Minority Whip Lee Rawson, state Rep. Dan Foley, Las Cruces Mayor Bill Mattice and Earl Greer, who also ran for the seat in 2002. —Ed Tinsley III says his recent service as chairman of the
NRA officials and members recently encouraged Tinsley to run for the House seat. If elected, he would follow in the footsteps of a several notable restaurateurs who have served in Congress. Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., worked in his family’s Clock Tower restaurant in Plainfield, Ill., and the late Rep. Sonny Bono, R-Calif., launched his political career as mayor of Palm Springs after being frustrated by city ordinances while opening his namesake Italian restaurant, which he relocated from Los Angeles. —Ed Tinsley III says his recent service as chairman of the
Tinsley is president and chief executive of Tinsley Hospitality Group LLC in Santa Fe, N.M., which is master franchisor of the K-Bob’s steakhouse brand, whose outlets are in Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. He served as chairman of the NRA for 2006-2007, through June. —Ed Tinsley III says his recent service as chairman of the
Dawn Sweeney, president and chief executive of the NRA, had said: “Throughout his many years of service on the National Restaurant Association board and during his term as chairman, Ed has demonstrated that he is not only a talented leader, but that he has a keen understanding of the issues that small businesses face.” —Ed Tinsley III says his recent service as chairman of the
Sweeney added that as NRA chairman Tinsley “had a tremendous impact, representing the industry at White House meetings and on Capitol Hill. We encourage Ed to consider a run for Congress. He would make an exceptional representative of New Mexico’s 2nd District.” —Ed Tinsley III says his recent service as chairman of the
Tinsley said his NRA experience “was extremely rewarding as I became close friends with restaurant operators across the country, who are living proof that the American dream is alive and well, but not without challenges.” —Ed Tinsley III says his recent service as chairman of the
His chairmanship “helped me understand more about what it takes to get things done in Washington, or sometimes how to keep things from getting done in Washington,” he added. “I did learn that if you are not at the table in Washington, you will soon be on their menu.” —Ed Tinsley III says his recent service as chairman of the
Carol Wight, chief executive of the New Mexico Restaurant Association, said Tinsley “represented New Mexico on the National Restaurant Association board, working hard to assure that New Mexicans were heard on our issues in D.C. that impact our lives and businesses here at home.” —Ed Tinsley III says his recent service as chairman of the
Richard E. Marriott, chairman of Host Hotels & Resorts Inc., said: “Having worked with Ed for a number of years, I know firsthand that he has what it takes to make a difference in Washington. Ed has worked hard over the years to protect small business interests from unwanted and unnecessary legislation, taxation and regulation.” —Ed Tinsley III says his recent service as chairman of the
Ted Fowler, president and chief executive of Golden Corral Corp., said: “I have worked closely with Ed for many years, and I trust that he would make an excellent representative of New Mexico’s 2nd District. He has the experience, knowledge, and determination to do what’s right for New Mexicans.” —Ed Tinsley III says his recent service as chairman of the
Lloyd Hill, chairman of the board of Applebee’s International Inc., called Tinsley “a man of integrity and a true leader, with the unique ability to rally people around a common cause.” —Ed Tinsley III says his recent service as chairman of the
Before his NRA chairmanship, Tinsley was the association’s vice chairman and treasurer, and he has been a member of the NRA board since 1996. He has served on numerous NRA committees, including the board’s executive committee and the finance, technology and the international-relations committees, and as a trustee and vice chairman of the association’s political action committee. He also served as a trustee of the NRA Educational Foundation. —Ed Tinsley III says his recent service as chairman of the
Tinsley also was NRA exchange director for Mexico for two years, facilitating communication and relationships between the restaurant industries of Mexico and the United States. —Ed Tinsley III says his recent service as chairman of the
After being appointed by President Bush to the board of trustees of the Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico, Tinsley recently was elected its vice chairman. —Ed Tinsley III says his recent service as chairman of the
In addition to overseeing the family’s cattle ranch, Tinsley is active in the oil and gas industry in New Mexico, Texas and Louisiana and in a real estate development on the ranch. —Ed Tinsley III says his recent service as chairman of the
Tinsley and his wife, Meredith, have been married for 31 years and have two children. —Ed Tinsley III says his recent service as chairman of the