Small details matter to rancher Ed Tinsley, the Republican nominee in the 2nd Congressional District race.
He'll pore over contracts, analyzing fine print to ensure he understands what he's studying. It's a trait Tinsley attributes to his law school training, an asset he feels will serve him well in the House of Representatives.
It will help me formulate positions and understand how the system works, he said. You learn to understand parts of contracts, the terms. That's important when you start looking at legislation.
Tinsley, 56, is better known for his restaurant business. He bought the K-Bob's steakhouse chain in 1991, building it into a three-state operation, and he was chairman of the National Restaurant Association from 2006-07. He's also dabbled in oil and gas.
Tinsley believes his background can be put to good use in Congress for southern New Mexico residents. He said his experiences give him a broad knowledge of key issues.
Tinsley faces oilfield services business owner Harry Teague in the Nov. 4 general election. Teague, a Democrat, is hoping to take the seat out of Republican hands for the first time since 1980.
The diversity of experience I have on the table is an interesting contrast between me and Harry, Tinsley said.
Teague comes from a blue-collar background and projects himself as a populist — He's one of us, a supporter declares in one TV ad.
Arguably the most powerful element of Teague's candidacy is his background. He dropped out of high school days before his 17th birthday, working in the oil fields for $1.50 an hour to support his ill parents.
Several years later, Teague was able to purchase his own business, building up an oilfield services company that today has more than 250 employees. He's a millionaire who pays college tuition and health care costs for his workers.
A native of Lamesa, Texas, Tinsley earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Texas. After adding a Texas Tech law degree, he worked for a law firm in Austin, Texas, for about two years.
The legal education and the short time I practiced taught me what I'd call a critical way of thinking, said Tinsley, a member in the New Mexico and Texas bars.
Eager to break into the business world and live closer to family, Tinsley and his wife, Meredith, moved to Albuquerque in 1978 to develop Schlotzsky's sandwich outlets in New Mexico.
Tinsley also ran a small oil exploration company in Midland, Texas, during the 1980s, a tough spell for that industry. He remains active in the oilfield through his wife's family.
Tinsley lives on a 15,000-acre Lincoln County ranch in Capitan, raising beef and offering hunting for mule deer, turkey and antelope.
He's also involved in a central New Mexico commercial real estate development. An avid horseman with an accomplished riding reputation, his campaign schedule forced him to turn down an intriguing offer from his ranch hands.
They were trying to recruit me to be part of the ranch rodeo team, Tinsley said. Honestly, I don't know if I have all the physical attributes, but I'd love to do it.
Democrats have attacked Tinsley over a second home he owns in Santa Fe, which is located in the 3rd District. Tinsley said he spends 90 percent of his time in Capitan but uses the second home as a base for business travel.
We looked in other states — Colorado, Arizona and Texas, Tinsley said. We decided we wanted a place where we'd be able to load our dogs on a pickup and travel to a second home.
As for the election, Tinsley said an important key is reaching out to Democrats who hold a registration advantage of about 40,00 voters in the 2nd District. Those voters have helped Republicans Joe Skeen and Steve Pearce keep the seat over the past 28 years. Pearce is giving up the office to run for U.S. Senate.
We have to connect our message in a clear fashion to both Republicans and Democrats. I feel I can do that, Tinsley said.
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On the Net:
Teague: http://www.harryforcongress.com
Tinsley: http://www.edtinsleyforcongress.com
