Mr. Jared Hembree, a legislator from Southeast New Mexico's 59th District in the Permian Basin, shares his journey into politics and his perspective on the oil and gas industry with Christian Lombardini of The Oil Field Leader Podcast. He explains that his interest in politics was always present, but the timing was right for him to pursue a career in it.

Rep. Hembree discusses the importance of the oil and gas industry in modern society and highlights the positive impact it has had on various aspects of life, such as healthcare and energy. He also highlights the challenges faced by the industry, including proposed setbacks and the lack of scientific evidence supporting claims against oil and gas production as related to specific bills.

Jared draws inspiration from his resilient great-grandmother and values hard work and determination. He sees his political career as an opportunity to make a difference and protect the interests of Southeast New Mexico. Reflecting on a common theme wherein Southeast New Mexico is proud of its role in the economy of the state, but frustrated with how its contributions are sometimes dismissed. The region relies heavily on the oil and gas industry, which provides a significant portion of the state's budget whose revenue can not be easily replaced. Without the industry, funding for essential services like education, healthcare, and public safety would be at risk. While there is talk of diversifying the economy, there is no concrete plan to replace the revenue generated by oil and gas. The development of alternative energy sources like geothermal is promising, but it is still in its infancy and cannot currently replace the economic impact of the oil and gas industry. Nuance and balanced discussions are needed to find solutions that benefit all parties involved.

Find Rep Hembree on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-a-hembree-b6b14844/