`Let the games begin': Long list of politicians could vie for open Senate seat

Sen. Pete Domenici's announcement of his retirement at the end of his current term already is causing ripples throughout New Mexico politics.

With an open Senate seat in New Mexico for the first time since 1972 -- and at least one Republican House of Representatives member considering a Senate run -- a rush of politicians began weighing possible opportunities.

Rep. Tom Udall of Santa Fe, a Democrat who represents Northern New Mexico, hasn't made a public announcement concerning his plans. If Udall, who was recently assigned to the House Appropriations Committee, did decide to run for the Senate, at least two Santa Fe Democrats -- former County Commissioner Javier Gonzales and state Rep. Peter Wirth -- said Thursday that they would consider running for Udall's House seat.

The Washington publication The Hill reported Thursday that Domenici's longtime understudy, U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, an Albuquerque Republican, has decided to get into the 2008 Senate race. The report cited ``a source familiar with Wilson's decision.''

A spokesman for Wilson, Enrique Carlos Knell, who attended Domenici's announcement, repeatedly said, ``No comment,'' when reporters asked about The Hill story and reports Wilson is planning to announce as early as today.

Wilson released a statement Thursday lavishing praise on Domenici, also a Republican.

But while state Democrats were gracious about Domenici in a statement released Wednesday, they immediately took off the gloves for Wilson's possible Senate bid.

``Heather Wilson has consistently voted to support George W. Bush's failed Iraq strategy that has resulted in the loss of precious lives and the nation spending half-a-trillion dollars to keep our courageous troops locked in an endless civil war,'' state Democratic chairman Brian Colon said in a statement Thursday. ``She consistently voted with the President to irresponsibly increase federal spending, resulting in the largest budget deficits in our nation's history. She unethically pressured the New Mexico U.S. Attorney to hand down indictments against Democrats weeks before last year's elections. Heather Wilson's record has shown that she is more loyal to George W. Bush and his extremist agenda than to the families of New Mexico.''

Meanwhile, Gov. Bill Richardson, campaigning in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, squashed speculation he'll drop his presidential bid to run for Senate.

Initially Thursday, Richardson seemed to leave the door open in an Associated Press report that said, ``The governor and his campaign advisers did not rule out a Senate race if he does not win the Democratic presidential nomination.''

However, the wire service later updated the story, saying a spokesman ``called later to say Richardson would continue serving as governor if he doesn't get the nomination.''

Spokesman Tom Reynolds told The Associated Press, ``If for some unfathomable reason he is not the Democratic nominee (for president), he will return and serve out his term as governor. We're not leaving any door open to run for the Senate.''

One Democratic operative in Albuquerque said Thursday that the timing of the presidential race does not bode well for a Richardson Senate run: ``If he would wait until February at the last minute to announce he's running for Senate, you'd have all these party activists already working for other campaigns and that wouldn't sit well with them.''

One possible Republican Senate candidate, state Land Commissioner Pat Lyons, said Thursday that he's leaning toward running for the Senate. But he said he might back out if Richardson jumps in the Democratic primary. ``He'd be tough with all that federal money,'' he said referring to Richardson's presidential campaign funds -- which would be legal to use in a U.S. Senate race.

Other possible Senate candidates on the Republican side include U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, who represents Southern New Mexico. One prominent Republican who said he definitely is not going to run is former Gov. Gary Johnson. ``No, I'm not going to run for Senate,'' he said.

Possible Democratic contenders include Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez and former Attorney General Patricia Madrid.

Declared candidates include Santa Fe developer Don Wiviott, who said Wednesday he's in the race to stay and plans to have a campaign budget of $2.1 million. Another declared candidate, Jim Hannan of Santa Fe, said Thursday that he would drop out if Udall enters the race.

Wilson's possible entry into the Senate race has stirred up a number of possible candidates from both parties for her House seat.

Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White said Thursday that he didn't want to discuss his future plans on what should be ``Senator Domenici's day.'' But White said, ``Let the games begin tomorrow.'' And when ending a phone conversation with a reporter, he said, ``Talk to you tomorrow.''

State Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones of Albuquerque on Thursday confirmed she is considering the race. ``I've talked publicly about it with people,'' she said.

Another state representative from Albuquerque, Al Park, said Thursday that he's strongly considering running in the Democratic primary. ``It's really an opportunity of a political lifetime,'' said Park, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee.

Albuquerque City Councilor Martin Heinrich, a Democrat, already has declared he is running. He said Wednesday that he will stay in the race whether or not Wilson runs for Senate.

Contact Steve Terrell at 986-3037 or sterrell@sfnewmexican.com.