Senator Pat Boone, a freshman legislator from southeastern New Mexico, has spent a lifetime in public service before stepping into his role at the state roundhouse.
His career began at the age of 25 when he joined the local soil and water conservation board. From there, he served on the school board, the Rural Electric Board, and worked extensively with the New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association, eventually becoming its president. His tenure included lobbying efforts on behalf of cattle growers, which introduced him to the workings of the legislature.
After 45 years of service, Boone initially planned to retire and spend time with his family. However, "I truly believe it was a calling from God,” he says. “He impressed upon me the need for my presence up here and said, ‘Go there, and I’ll guide you.’”
Boone acknowledges that transitioning from a lobbyist focused solely on agriculture to a state senator dealing with a multitude of issues has been overwhelming. “The biggest thing I don’t like about being up here is quite simply information overload. There’s just too much coming at me continually," he says.
Yet, he remains committed to serving his district, even as it places strains on his personal life. "My son is a college basketball coach, and my grandson is a big-time baseball player. We love to go watch them, but this role has put a cramp in that," he says. Running his ranch on top of his legislative duties adds another layer of difficulty, but he remains devoted to both responsibilities. "I love my ranch, I love my cows, and I love my family. It’s been difficult, but we’re making it work."
A major issue facing Boone's constituents is private property rights, particularly in response to federal land use policies. He highlights a hot-button issue: a proposed transmission line project. "There’s a big transmission line from the DOE that’s been designated as a corridor. It starts in southern New Mexico, runs along the state line, and reaches into Colorado. The government has put out word that they’ll use eminent domain if necessary, and some landowners stand to lose everything."
Boone describes the plight of one constituent: "I’ve got a rancher in southern Roosevelt County who could lose their house, their home, their whole ranch if this goes through." He criticizes federal authorities for refusing to provide clear answers and emphasizes the generational impact of such land seizures. "Most of this land has been in families for four, five, six, even seven or eight generations. People are already struggling with rising costs, and now they face the possibility of losing everything."
Boone also champions agricultural issues, pushing for agritourism legislation that would support farmers and ranchers by providing opportunities to showcase their work. “We talk all the time about how we need to tell our story, let the public know what we’re about,” he says.
His bill aims to create funding for agritourism programs, inspired by innovative farming operations he has seen firsthand. "I went on a tour in Albuquerque and was amazed by what some people were doing with small tracts of land,” he says. “They’re raising specialty crops or niche livestock operations that supplement their income in unique ways."
Agriculture remains a priority for Boone, but he acknowledges that legislative support for farming and ranching is often met with skepticism from environmentalists. "I think they’ll be sympathetic to the basics of production agriculture, but where we’ll get pushback is environmental issues—greenhouse gases, climate change. The AG side doesn’t put a large stock in that. We accept that these changes happen over time and that they’ll change again. But the other side sees every day as a crisis. That’s where our conflict comes in."
Crime and public safety are also at the forefront of Boone’s concerns, especially as the governor pushes a crime bill. Boone believes the measures don’t go far enough. “I think there’s some really good stuff in there, but it’s just not tough enough. It doesn’t go deep enough, doesn’t go hard enough,” he says.
Boone’s perspective on crime is shaped by his father, who was a district judge in Texas for 32 years. “He was tough on crime, and he believed in living by the law. He taught me that when you do the crime, you need to do the time.”
Boone laments what he sees as an overly lenient justice system. “There’s been too much catch and release. The criminals have too many rights, and the public has a right to be at ease. People shouldn’t have to worry about going to the grocery store or convenience store and getting accosted.”
Despite his rural district, Boone recognizes that crime is not just a big-city problem. “Even in my district, in places like Clovis and Roswell, there’s plenty of crime. We need to toughen up. Judges need to be stricter, and punishments need to fit the crimes.”
Balancing his responsibilities as a legislator, rancher, and family man is no easy task, but Boone remains committed to his calling. Whether he’s fighting for landowners against eminent domain, advocating for agriculture, or pushing for tougher crime laws, he approaches his work with the same dedication he’s shown throughout his decades of service.
"We’re making it work," he says, determined to leave a lasting impact on the state he has long served.
