Denish plans to run for governor in 2010

Lieutenant Gov. Diane Denish plans to run for governor in 2010, she confirmed in an article published this weekend in the Albuquerque Tribune.

“I am going to run in 2010, God willing and barring anything that would prevent me,” the newspaper quoted her as saying. “I think the voters are ready (for a female governor). I think what they really want is someone who is committed to New Mexico.”

It’s no secret that Denish could take control of the executive branch sooner if Gov. Bill Richardson is successful in a 2008 presidential run or takes another post in a new Democratic administration in Washington in 2009.

Richardson told the Tribune that Denish is ready to lead the state.

“I don’t think she needs any grooming. She’d be ready to step in if she had to,” he said. “She’s very diverse, very strong in a lot of areas.”

Were there any doubt about Denish’s capabilities, Richardson told the newspaper he has asked her to lead the charge for his “Year of Water” agenda. He’s proposing spending more than $100 million on water projects, in addition to making policy changes.

It’s a chance for Denish to prove herself, but it’s also a revealing sign about Richardson’s future plans. Not only is he in Africa the week before the start of the session and South Carolina the weekend before, but he plans to have Denish push his most critical agenda items for him this year, most likely because he will be less involved as he begins a run for president.

Many state senators will tell you they’ve dealt with Richardson more often than Denish in the past.

If Richardson leaves the office early, it will likely be a smooth, gradual transition beginning with Denish’s involvement in the Legislature this month. Even if Richardson is unsuccessful in a White House run, Denish will do much of the governing for the next two years if he runs for president.

Coupled with Richardson’s immense popularity, that would give Denish the advantage in what may be a crowded 2010 Democratic primary. As long as she didn’t become involved in a major scandal and continued many of Richardson’s policies, Denish would be seen by voters as a continuation of a popular administration.

That could hamper the potential gubernatorial plans of other Democratic hopefuls. Those mentioned as possible candidates thus far include Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez, Attorney General Gary King, former Attorney General Patricia Madrid and State Rep. Joseph Cervantes.

Though she has been more active than many past lieutenant governors, Denish’s current biggest weakness is that voters outside of Santa Fe and Albuquerque haven’t often seen her in action. The lieutenant governor isn’t very powerful, and Denish hasn’t had a lot of opportunity to showcase her abilities on a statewide level.

If Richardson runs for president as expected, that’s about to change.