Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez announced today that he will run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated next year by Pete Domenici.
“I am pleased this morning to announce my candidacy for the United States Senate,” the Democrat said during a news conference in
The mayor was flanked by a number of high-raking Democrats who were obviously aiming to show a great deal of support for Chávez at a time when many are concerned that he isn’t the strongest candidate they could run against formidable Republican opponents. GOP U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson has already announced that she’s running, and U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., will announce later today whether he’s running.
Chávez’s decision leaked Monday, so the news conference was a mere formality. At the event, Chávez praised Domenici’s long record of service to
“He’s been a great friend of
In addition to voting to end the war, Chávez said, as
He said he believes the GOP “will fight mean and dirty. Their war and their power are at stake. But in my heart, I know that they no longer represent the mainstream in their party or in
“I still believe one person can make a difference,” he said. “No one person has worked harder to make
GOP primary battle ‘doesn’t matter’
Chávez is facing some obstacles as he begins his run. All Chávez-backed candidates and referenda were defeated in last week’s municipal election in Albuquerque by a loose coalition of Republicans and progressive Democrats, and a SurveyUSA poll conducted this weekend for KOB-TV in Albuquerque found that Chávez will face a difficult race against Wilson and would start at a huge disadvantage against Pearce.
Chávez said none of that concerns him.
“It doesn’t matter to me who the GOP nominates,” he said, adding that he will focus on issues including
“I have more experience, with the exception of our governor, than any elected official in the State of
He acknowledged that he had spoken with Gov. Bill Richardson, who has said he won’t get in the race, and Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, who is considering the race, but would not share details of those conversations. A news release from his campaign, however, said
Update, 1:10 p.m.
The Republican Party of New Mexico just put out a news release calling Chávez “irresponsible.”
“As Albuquerque mayor, Marty Chávez has raised taxes and dramatically increased spending, treating taxpayers like his own personal ATM,” the release states. “His priorities have been on pet projects rather than on public safety or basic services. And Chávez salivated at the opportunity to seize private property.
The release cites a long list of Chávez actions, then labels him “wrong for
“Marty Chávez has raised taxes on New Mexicans a number of times, and there’s no reason to think that would change if he were elected to the United States Senate. His belt-busting budgets show his love of big government and his disregard for the way in which he spends hard-earned tax dollars,” the release states. “Chávez has neglected public safety and turned
Update, 2:10 p.m.
Democrat Don Wiviott, who has committed to spending $2.1 million in a Senate primary that will now include Chávez, released this statement:
“I welcome Marty Chávez to the campaign. I got in this race early because I believe there are serious issues facing this country, such as bringing our troops home from