James Ellison

James Ellison received a high school diploma from Brunswick High School, a bachelor's degree in physics and political science from Clemson University, a master's degree in technology and policy, and mechanical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a master of science in management from Stanford University. Prior to his appointment to the commission, Ellison worked as an electric utility analyst and as an engineer.[1][2]

Governor

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State treasurer

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a former commissioner with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC), and I hold the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) designation — which is the gold standard credential for investment professionals. I’m also a former Sandia National Laboratories researcher. I am a husband and a father of two, and live in the Albuquerque area. I am originally from coastal Georgia, and have lived in New Mexico over twenty years. New Mexico is home.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Improving transparency is a top priority. Even 10 months after the close of Fiscal Year 2025, the State Treasury Office has not made the annual report for FY 2025 available. This does not speak well for the incumbent’s commitment to transparency. I will ensure that an annual investment report, written in plain English, is made available by Halloween of that same year (no more than four months after the end of a fiscal year).The unclaimed assets function is in the wrong place — with the Tax and Revenue Dept. — and it shows. They are sitting on $390 million in funds owned by New Mexicans, and last year distributed less than 5% to the rightful owners. In 30 out of 50 states, this function is with the State Treasury. The Incumbent has had 3 1/2 years to advocate for this change, and has done nothing about it. I commit to advocating for getting this function transferred to the State Treasury Office. And once it’s there, I will get this money distributed to the people it belongs to.State Treasurer isn’t a job for a politician — it’s a job for a professional. I’m a CFA charterholder — the gold standard credential for investment professionals. I have scrutinized rate case applications as a NMPRC commissioner, and have been responsible for the budgets of two companies. Having been the leader of a power plant and a power distribution company, I understand what it means to lead an organization. There are many talented professionals at the State Treasurer’s Office (STO). A talented professional at the helm is needed to ensure the STO is headed in the right direction.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The unclaimed assets program should be transferred to the State Treasurer’s Office. Tax and Revenue is the wrong department for this function — they were set up to collect revenue, not to distribute funds. I want to launch the “Great New Mexico Giveback” program to give these assets back to their rightful owners.

In addition, I know there are many ways in which the State Treasurer’s Office (STO) can improve, and I look forward to working with folks at the STO to drive change. I’m an outsider with a fresh perspective who believes in unlocking the skills and talents of people within organizations.