Patricia Madrid, a former state attorney general, said tonight she is considering whether to run for the open seat in the U.S. Senate following news that the GOP’s Pete Domenici is retiring next year.
“I’m getting calls from all over the state,” the prominent Democrat said. “It’s very complex. I am, of course, talking to my husband of 35 years.”
In addition, Madrid is considering the fact that she is working for a “lucrative” law firm and her job is “certainly more enjoyable than getting beaten up on television for a year.”
Still, Madrid said the Democrats will need a strong candidate with statewide name recognition who can raise millions of dollars.
“There are very few of us in the state, and I’ve done it,” she said. “This is an opportunity. I will consider every option.”
Madrid said earlier this year she was considering running against Domenici in 2008.
She took a job earlier this year as a consultant for Dickstein Shapiro LLP, a firm that represents some of the companies she took to court as the state’s attorney general. She is also traveling around the nation promoting John Edwards’ campaign for president. Madrid said she would have to give up helping the Edwards campaign to run for Senate.
“Certainly that enters into my thinking as well,” she said.
The other factor, Madrid said, is Gov. Bill Richardson’s next move. Though Richardson and his campaign continue to insist that he’s not interested in the Senate race, Madrid sounds skeptical.
“Of course, we’re all waiting to see what our governor does. And he’s got a choice on his hands,” she said. “Does he stick it out to get VP or secretary of state, or does he get in to the Senate race?”
Madrid ran unsuccessfully against U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., last year, losing by 861 votes out of more than 211,000. It was a bitter campaign, and Madrid took several months to rest after the loss.
Madrid seemed to believe Wilson will run for Senate. She pointed out that Wilson has never run in a statewide race, and she beat Wilson last year in Albuquerque and Sandoval County. Madrid also said Wilson wouldn’t beat her in Las Cruces, where she grew up.
Patricia Madrid, a former state attorney general, said tonight she is considering whether to run for the open seat in the U.S. Senate following news that the GOP’s Pete Domenici is retiring next year.