Homans won’t challenge Wilson in 2008, but other Democrats move toward becoming official candidates

New Mexico Economic Development Secretary Rick Homans has decided he won’t challenge U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., next year, but a number of other Democrats are moving closer to becoming official candidates and battling for the right to face her.

Homans, whose potential candidacy had the backing of Gov. Bill Richardson, said he has decided against running “after serious consideration.”

“My reasons for not running are personal and logistical and I believe that the Democrats have a very real opportunity to win the seat in 2008 if we put up a strong candidate,” Homans said Wednesday. “I look forward to supporting that candidate and helping our party bring Heather Wilson back home to New Mexico.”

He didn’t elaborate, but his decision follows a meeting last week with a representative of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Meanwhile, a number of other Democrats are seriously considering getting into the race. Former University of New Mexico President Louis Caldera was in Washington on Wednesday to talk with a number of officials about the possibility of running for the First Congressional District seat. The former secretary of the Army and California state assemblyman’s potential candidacy is interesting: He’s the son of Mexican immigrants and was born in El Paso, but grew up in California and didn’t live in the Albuquerque area until becoming UNM president in 2003.

When relations between Caldera and the university’s regents soured last year, Wilson came to the defense of Caldera and said the regents should keep him as president.

He stepped down from that position in August, and is on paid leave until July, at which time he is set to join the faculty as a law professor.

State Auditor Hector Balderas is also considering running against Wilson. Albuquerque City Councilor Martin Heinrich and former Councilor Eric Griego say they’re headed toward becoming candidates.

“I am very close (to making a decision) and I’m certainly leaning in that direction,” Heinrich said late Wednesday. “I’m not ready to declare yet, but I’m getting very positive feedback from folks.”

Griego said the seat, which represents his hometown, “means a lot for me personally.”

“I want to make sure we put our best candidate forward,” Griego said. “In that regard, if there is a candidate with stronger ties to the district, who has a stronger record than I do on two key issues in this race, ethics reform and a coherent foreign policy platform, including ending the war in Iraq, I will consider not running. Otherwise, I will run.”

Terry Brunner, state director for the office of U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., said he’s still considering running after meeting with the DCCC official last week.

“I’m going to stay interested and see where this thing goes,” he said.