State Rep. Al Park, D-Albuquerque, has decided against running for the congressional seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson next year.
Park said in an interview today that the decision is the same as the one he made six months ago, when he considered and decided against challenging
“I’ve always promised family would come first,” Park said.
He said he has received lots of positive and encouraging feedback since announcing several days ago that he was considering the race.
“It’s frankly very humbling, but you have to do what’s right for your family,” he said.
Park acknowledged that he may never get another shot at Congress, and said this “was a tough decision, but I’m at peace with it.”
Park chairs the powerful Judiciary Committee in the New Mexico House of Representatives.
Albuquerque City Councilor Martin Heinrich and attorney Jon Adams are the only Democrats who have officially entered the First Congressional District race. On the Republican side, Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White is announcing today that he’s running for the seat.