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New Mexico

Presidential primary: Tuesday, February 5, 2008 (Democrats / possible GOP)
Presidential primary: Tuesday, June 3, 2008 (GOP / may move)
Congressional filing deadline: February 2008
Congressional primary: June 2008

In recent years, politics in New Mexico have become increasingly compelling. The last two presidential contests have featured down-to-the-wire races in the state, Republican Congresswoman Heather Wilson has barely won two successive House campaigns and popular Governor Bill Richardson is currently running for the presidency. With all this competition, the one seemingly safe concept has been incumbent Senator Pete Domenici's consistent reelection, cycle after cycle. However, the release of recent facts concerning Republican activities during an ongoing investigation threatens to turn New Mexico's political landscape upside down and present a previously unlikely opportunity to gain a crucial Senate seat.

President (5 Electoral Votes)

The last two presidential elections have been decided by razor-thin margins in New Mexico. In 2000, Al Gore won the state by fewer than 3,000 votes. President Bush carried the state by fewer than 6,000 in 2004, which ended a string of Democratic dominance. This race in this state is sure to be extremely close in 2008. The presence of popular Governor Bill Richardson on any Democratic ticket would significantly increase the likelihood of bringing this state back into the win column. However, if he is not included on the ticket, this will be another tight race, as Democrats try to find ways to expand their victories in the western part of the country.

U.S. Senate - Pete Domenici (Rep)

Incumbent Senator Pete Domenici announced his retirement at the end of this term partly due to a previously undisclosed progressive medical condition. The six-term Senator was expected to receive an unusually stiff challenge in 2008 due to his diminishing popularity stemming from his involvement in the firing of a U.S. attorney prior to the 2006 election. Domenici's departure presents yet another golden opportunity for Democrats in the Senate. With popular former governor Bill Richardson running for President Democrats will beed to find another solid candidate to run.

Congressman Tom Udall, an obvious choice, originally announced that he would not seek the nomination, but he has recently reconsidered and is running for the seat. Additionally, Former Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez has announced that he will seek the Democratic nomination.

Republicans appear headed for a contentious primary as two current House members Congresswoman Heather Wilson (NM-01) and Congressman Steve Pearce have announced their separate candidacies. Wilson has some unfinished business left from 2006, as she has her own involvement in the aforementioned attorney scandal to explain. Wilson barely survived the last two cycles, winning by less than a thousand votes in 2006.

Early polls show just how close the race will be, but the Democrats enjoy a strong lead with Tom Udall as the candidate. Martin Chavez polls well against both Heather Wilson and Steve Pearce, so no matter who the candidate is, the race will be close. The November 5-7 Research 2000 poll shows Chavez slightly trailing both Heather Wilson and Steve Pearce. However, Tom Udall holds a 17-point lead over both candidates.

Pete Domenici (Rep) - Incumbent
Jim Hannan (Dem) - Accountant, Democratic Activist and Former Congressional Aide
John Kelly (Dem) - Former US Attorney and 2000 Congressional Nominee
Leland Lehrman (Dem) - Freeland Journalist and Peace Activist
Don Wiviott (Dem) - Real Estate Developer and Community Activist

1st District - Heather Wilson (Rep)

Central, Albuquerque

Congresswoman Heather Wilson is vacating this seat at the end of the term to run for the Senate, which will giveway to an open seat contest in this highly competitive district. Wilson's entry in the Senate race presents Democrats with a great opportunity to win this seat that has narrowly elluded them in the last two elections. In 2006, the seat was decided by less than 1,000 votes.

Candidates from both parties are lining up to run for their respective nominations. Republican Darren White, the Bernalilo County Sheriff, entered the race for the GOP nomination. White will bring reasonable name recognition with him to the race, which is always an advantage. State Senator Joe Carraro is also seeking the nomination for the GOP.

Former Albuquerque City Councilman Martin Heinrich remains the front-runner for the Democratic nod but faces competition from former state Health Secretary Michele Lujan Grisham; Jason Call, a high school math teacher and anti-war candidate; and Robert Pidcock, an Albuquerque lawyer.

Heather Wilson (Rep) - Incumbent
Jon Adams (Dem)
Hector Balderas (Dem) - State Auditor, Former State Representative and Attorney
Kari Brandenburg (Dem) - Bernalillo County District Attorney
Terry Brunner (Dem) - Congressional Aide
Michael Cadigan (Dem) - Albuquerque Councilor
Louis Caldera (Dem) - Former University of New Mexico President
Jason Call (Dem) - Teacher and Peace Activist
Eric Griego (Dem) - Former Albuquerque Councilor
Martin Heinrich (Dem) - Albuquerque Councilor and Former Non-Profit Group Executive Director
Rick Homans (Dem) - State Economic Development Secretary
Jerry Ortiz y Pino (Dem) - State Senator
Bryon Paez (Dem)
Al Park (Dem) - State Senator

2nd District - Steve Pearce (Rep)

Southern half, Roswell, Las Cruces, "Little Texas"

The second district leans Republican, its open seat status augments the possibility of a competitive race for this seat in 2008. Those already campaigning include restaurant chair owner and rancher Ed Tinsley; Bob Cornelius, former executive director of the Bernalillo County Republican Party, who formed an exploratory committee in early November; and former bank executive Aubrey L. Dunn Jr., whose father was a Democratic state senator for 15 years.

They may be joined by Greg Sowards, who unsuccessfully challenged longtime GOP Rep. Joe Skeen for the 2nd District seat in 1996; former state Rep. Terry Marquardt; and Hobbs Mayor Monty Newman. Also, Sierra County Republican Party Chairman C. Carl Greer said he expects to make a formal announcement Jan. 2; former Domenici staffer Clint Chandler is reported to be planning a decision by the end of the first week of January; and Mike Kakuska, vice chairman of the 2nd District Republican Party, said he intends to run “if we can get the financial pieces together.”

Steve Pearce (Rep) - Incumbent
Joseph Cervantes (Dem) - State Representative
Al Kissling (Dem) - Presbyterian Minister, Affordable Housing Activist and 2006 Nominee
Bill McCamley (Dem) - Dona Ana County Commissioner and Rural Development Group Executive Director

3rd District - Tom Udall (Dem)

North and east, Santa Fe, Los Alamos

Tom Udall appears to be headed for the Democratic nomination for Senate in 2008, which leaves this seat open. The third district is solid Democrat, so the party should expect to hold on the seat. Jon Adams, a lawyer and first-time politician, is rumored to be moving from the Senate race to running for the third district nomination.

Santa Fe developer Don Wiviott — who earlier this year committed substantial amounts of his own money to a challenge against Domenici when it appeared the senator would seek re-election — switched his plans after Domenici’s retirement announcement and House incumbent Udall’s emergence as the front-runner for the Democratic Senate nomination. Wiviott announced Nov. 19 that he would instead run for the open 3rd District House seat.

Santa Fe County Commissioner Harry Montoya kicked off his campaign Dec. 12 at the Pojoaque Pueblo Boys and Girls Club. Ben R. Lujan, chairman of the New Mexico Regulation Commission and son of powerful New Mexico House Speaker Ben Lujan, launched his House campaign Dec. 14 at the state Capitol Rotunda. Benny Shendo Jr. resigned as secretary of the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department effective Dec. 14 in anticipation of a House run. Lawyer Rudy Martin, who would be a first-time candidate, and lawyer Teresa Leger plan to make final decisions on the race by the end of this week, and Derrith Watchman-Moore, a former deputy secretary in the state Environment Department, is reported to be planning an announcement for Dec. 28.

Republican Marco Gonzales, a lawyer and former aide to Domenici, said Dec. 10 that he would seek the GOP nomination.

Tom Udall (Dem) - Incumbent