Rawson won’t run for Congress, will seek re-election

State Sen. Leonard Lee Rawson, R-Las Cruces, has decided to forgo the “rare opportunity” of running for the congressional seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., because of family considerations.

Rawson made the announcement in an e-mail this morning.

“Moira and I have the rare privilege of having all of our family and extended family living in Doña Ana County. The present joy of having three sons living at home, two sons working full-time in our family business (Rawson Builders Supply), and one son getting married in January cannot be sacrificed or replaced. These are precious times with our parents and our sons, along with their growing families,” Rawson said. “After prayerful thought and consideration, we have determined that it would be the wrong decision for me to serve in Congress at this time.”

Rawson and his wife have four sons.

Rawson is right to call this a rare opportunity. Pearce is running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Pete Domenici, creating an open seat in a conservative district that fits well with Rawson’s political views. In addition, there is no obvious Republican frontrunner.

While announcing that he won’t run for Congress, the 20-year state senator announced his re-election bid for his state Senate seat. He’s the only Republican lawmaker from Doña Ana County.

“It is my heartfelt desire to continue our effective service in this capacity,” he said. “We would be honored by our district’s continued support.”

Rawson said the situation in state government wasn’t a factor in his decision. He is part of a bipartisan group of senators serving as the primary check on the governor, and he is highly critical of many of the governor’s proposals and actions.

“That was not a factor in the decision. The decision was simply family. I believe there are plenty of people in the state and this district who can do just as good a job as I can (in the Senate),” Rawson said. “I do believe the seniority that we’ve built up allows us to be more effective than a new legislator, but I don’t think I’m more capable than anyone else.”

Rawson’s decision to not seek the congressional seat means the GOP is still without an announced candidate. Meanwhile, three Democrats have entered the race: Al Kissling, Doña Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley and former Lea County Commissioner Harry Teague. At least three other Democrats are considering running for the seat.

On the GOP side, Ed Tinsley, who ran unsuccessfully against Pearce in the 2002 primary, is seriously considering the race and being pushed by many in Washington, in part because the restaurant chain owner, who’s also a Capitan rancher, real estate developer and oilman, can help fun his own campaign. Tinsley isn’t expected to make a decision for about two weeks.

Sierra County Republican Party Chair C. Earl Greer has been considering the race, and told me today that he’s “leaning toward running, definitely,” and will make a decision shortly.

“Things are beginning to look very favorable, and the support appears to be there, but I want to make sure it’s there before we make a final decision,” he said.

Other Republicans considering the race or being mentioned as potential candidates include state Reps. Don Bratton of Hobbs and Don Tripp of Socorro, Roswell businessman and former congressional candidate Phelps Anderson, Roswell Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Mike Kakuska and former Roswell Mayor Bill Owen.

Update, 11:35 a.m.

Anderson said he is “still seriously thinking about” running for Congress, but isn’t in a hurry to make a decision, saying there are lots of considerations. He said Rawson’s decision “is an important dynamic in the Republican primary” because, unless another GOP candidate from Las Cruces emerges, that population center is up for grabs.

Anderson said he has received “a lot of positive feedback” in conversations about a potential run, but said he has to discuss the situation with more people.