Sen. Tim Keller (Photo by Peter St. Cyr)
State Sen. Tim Keller, D-Albuquerque, announced today that he won’t run for the U.S. House seat being vacated by Martin Heinrich.
“Many thanks to all of you that have been encouraging me to run for Congress,” Keller wrote early this morning in an e-mail to supporters. “I greatly appreciate your enthusiasm!”
“Liz and I remain passionate about local public service, but rather than congress I will be running for re-election to the NM senate next year,” he wrote. “Thank you again for your continued support.”
No Democrats have formally entered the race to replace Heinrich, but state Sen. Eric Griego of Albuquerque has formed an exploratory committee as he considers the race. In addition, state Rep. Antonio “Moe” Maestas of Albuquerque and Terry Brunner, U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman’s former state director who now heads USDA Rural Development in New Mexico, say they are seriously considering running.
On the Republican side, Albuquerque City Councilor Dan Lewis has entered the race, and former gubernatorial candidate and state Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones of Albuquerque has formed an exploratory committee.
Heinrich is giving up the House seat to run for Bingaman’s Senate seat.