Steve Pearce

Stevan Pearce is an American businessman and politician who served as the U.S. Representative for New Mexico's 2nd congressional district from 2003 to 2009 and again from 2011 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Pearce has also held various leadership roles within the party, including serving as the Chair of the New Mexico Republican Party. In 2025, he was nominated by President Donald Trump to be the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, a position that has drawn attention due to his background in the oil and gas industry.

Early life and career

Stevan Edward Pearce was born on August 24, 1947, in Lamesa, Texas, and was raised in Hobbs, New Mexico. He pursued higher education at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a focus on economics. Pearce's leadership skills were evident during his college years, as he was elected president of the student body at New Mexico State University. He later obtained a Master of Business Administration from Eastern New Mexico University in Portales.

Pearce's military service began when he joined the United States Air Force, where he served as a C-130 pilot during the Vietnam War. His military career was marked by significant accomplishments, including over 518 hours of combat flight and 77 hours of combat support. For his service, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Air Medals, and several other military honors. After his service in Vietnam, Pearce was assigned to the Strategic Air Command at Blytheville Air Force Base in Arkansas and was honorably discharged with the rank of captain.

Following his military service, Pearce transitioned into the business sector. He and his wife founded Lea Fishing Tools, an oilfield services company based in Hobbs, New Mexico. The business was successful and was sold in 2003 to Key Energy Services for $12 million, providing Pearce with the financial foundation to pursue a career in politics.

House tenure

Pearce's political career began at the state level when he was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives in 1996. He was re-elected in 1998 without opposition, showcasing his strong support within his district. During his time in the state legislature, he served as the Republican Caucus Chairman and was a member of the Appropriations Committee, gaining valuable experience in governance and fiscal matters.

In 2002, Pearce entered the race for the U.S. House of Representatives after the retirement of long-serving Republican incumbent Joe Skeen. Pearce won the Republican primary with a plurality of the votes and subsequently defeated Democratic state senator John Arthur Smith in the general election, marking the beginning of his tenure in Congress. He was re-elected multiple times, securing his position in the House through a series of competitive elections. Notably, he faced Democratic candidates such as Gary King and Al Kissling, winning those contests by significant margins.

In 2008, Pearce chose to run for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by retiring Republican Senator Pete Domenici. This decision meant he would not seek re-election for his House seat, which ultimately became an open race. Pearce's Senate campaign was unsuccessful, as he lost the Republican primary to Bill Redmond.

After a brief hiatus from Congress, Pearce returned to the political arena in 2010, successfully reclaiming his former congressional seat by defeating incumbent Democrat Harry Teague. He continued to serve in the House, winning re-election in 2012, 2014, and 2016. His campaigns during this period were notably supported by significant contributions from the oil and gas sector, reflecting his business background and the interests of his constituents.

In 2018, Pearce opted not to seek re-election to the House, instead running for Governor of New Mexico. This campaign was not successful, marking the end of his congressional tenure on January 3, 2019.

Legislative focus and committees

During his time in the U.S. House of Representatives, Pearce was a member of the Committee on Financial Services, where he served on several subcommittees, including those focused on capital markets, financial institutions, and oversight investigations. His involvement in these committees allowed him to engage with key issues related to economic policy and financial regulation.

Pearce was also active in various caucuses, reflecting his interests and the priorities of his constituents. He co-chaired the Border Security Caucus and held the position of vice-chairman in both the Native American Caucus and the Sportsman Caucus. Additionally, he was a member of the Freedom Caucus, the Republican Study Committee, and the Congressional Western Caucus, among others. These affiliations indicated his focus on issues pertinent to border security, Native American affairs, and outdoor recreation, aligning with the interests of many residents in New Mexico.

Throughout his congressional career, Pearce faced challenges, including accusations of plagiarism in 2005. These allegations arose from articles published under his name in local newspapers, which were later revealed to have been plagiarized by his press secretary. The incident led to the resignation of the press secretary but did not significantly hinder Pearce's political trajectory.

In summary, Stevan Pearce's career has been characterized by his business background, military service, and political engagement. His tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives was marked by a focus on economic issues, border security, and energy policy, reflecting the interests of his constituents in New Mexico's 2nd congressional district. After leaving Congress, Pearce continued to play a role in state politics and was later nominated for a federal position, further extending his influence in public service.