Zamora considering running for lieutenant governor

Geno Zamora is considering running for lieutenant governor in 2010, further crowding the field of actual and potential Democratic candidates more than three years before the election.

Former Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron has already announced that she’s seeking the state’s No. 2 job, and Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano announced this week that he’s running. And, as reported by the Santa Fe New Mexican, former Santa Fe County Commissioner Javier Gonzales, a regent at New Mexico Highlands in Las Vegas, is also thinking about running.

Zamora, a former chief counsel for Gov. Bill Richardson, told me he is considering “how I can better serve the people of my state and work to improve the lives of its citizens. Lieutenant governor is one office that strongly appeals to me.”

Zamora ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary for attorney general last year, and is currently a member of the governor’s ethics task force. He also sounds like a candidate for higher office.

“I would be proud to serve as New Mexico’s next lieutenant governor and would strive to be as proactive as Diane Denish has been,” he said. “A proactive lieutenant governor can lead the charge in improving our education and health care systems as well as help the next governor maintain strong relationships with the state House and Senate, where I have a proven history of working closely with legislators on both sides of the aisle.”

“However, three and a half years is too early for me and my family to make a decision about a campaign – right now I am blessed to have much more time at home with my wife and family,” he said. “My political time and energy is focused on Democratic successes in 2008; therefore, I don’t expect to make any final decisions before the end of the 2008 election season.”