Former state Land Commissioner Ray Powell clung to a narrow lead late Tuesday to win the office back.

Incumbent Land Commissioner Patrick Lyons, a Republican, who couldn't run again because of term limits, won a seat Tuesday on the Public Regulation Commission. Lyons' departure cleared the way for GOP political newcomer Matt Rush, a Roosevelt County farmer and rancher, who is up against a seasoned Democrat, former Land Commissioner Ray Powell.

Powell, who served as land commissioner from 1993-2002, was running up big leads in the Democratic strongholds of Santa Fe and Bernalillo counties as he tried to hold off a strong Republican turnout in the rural counties. As of press time, Powell was leading by about 10,000 votes.

Many contend the land commissioner is one of the most powerful people in state government, wielding control over more than 13 million acres of mineral estate and 9 million acres of surface estate with the potential to bring in millions of dollars to New Mexico's coffers each year. Most of the revenue goes to public schools and other trust beneficiaries.