CAPITAN N.M. Ed Tinsley III, former chairman of the National Restaurant Association and owner of the K-Bob’s Steakhouse brand, said today he would seek the Republican nomination for the 2nd Congressional District here.
The seat, which covers southern New Mexico, is currently held by Rep. Steve Pearce (R-NM), but Pearce has announced plans to run for the U.S. Senate seat left open by the retirement of Pete Domenici (R-NM).
In making his announcement, Tinsley said health care, small businesses, family tax relief and the safety of Americans are four priority issues for the district. A formal announcement is planned for Nov. 19.
Tinsley, who has a ranch in New Mexico, 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.
“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.”
Tinsley is the first Republican to enter the race for the congressional seat. He ran for the seat in 2002, but lost to Pearce in the primaries. Observers have mentioned other potential GOP candidates, including state Senate Minority Whip Lee Rawson, state Rep. Dan Foley, Las Cruces Mayor Bill Mattice and Earl Greer, who ran for the seat in 2002.
Last week, the NRA had encouraged Tinsley to run for the House seat. Tinsley is president and chief executive of Tinsley Hospitality Group LLC in Santa Fe, N.M., a master franchisor of K-Bob’s Steakhouses, which has 19 units in Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. He served as chairman of the NRA in 2006-2007.
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.”
Sweeney added that as NRA chairman “Ed 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 second district.”
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.
“It 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 said. “I did learn that if you are not at the table in Washington, you will soon be on their menu!”
Carol Wight, chief executive of the New Mexico Restaurant Association, said, "Ed 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.”
Richard E. Marriott, chairman Host Hotels & Resorts Inc., added, “Having worked with Ed for a number of years, I know first-hand 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.”
Lloyd Hill, chairman of the Board of Applebee’s International Inc., said, “Ed is a man of integrity and a true leader, with the unique ability to rally people around a common cause."
Tinsley was recently appointed by President George Bush to the Valles Caldera Board of Trustees, and was recently elected vice chairman.
The Tinsley family lives on and operates a cattle ranch in Lincoln County, N.M. He is active in the oil and gas industry in the southeastern New Mexico, Texas and Louisiana and a real-estate development on their ranch.
Tinsley and his wife, Meredith, have been married for 31 years. They have two children.