Rep. Park considering run for Congress

State Rep. Al Park is seriously considering running against his friend, Albuquerque City Councilor Martin Heinrich, in the First Congressional District Democratic primary next year.

Park and Heinrich are friends and often work in the same political circles. But Park, D-Albuquerque, said he sees the open seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, who will announce today that she’s running for Senate, as a “political opportunity of a lifetime.”

Park said he hopes to make a decision in the next couple of weeks.

“I’m actively considering my options,” he said. “If this is another way I can serve the people of New Mexico, I feel obliged to consider it.”

As chair of the powerful state House Judiciary Committee, Park is an influential member of a group of House Democrats who often work with Republicans to find compromise on issues and bypass the will of Speaker Ben Lujan. Park supported Majority Leader Ken Martinez’s failed attempt to unseat Lujan last year.

Albuquerque attorney Jon Adams is also in the congressional race, and a number of other Democrats are considering running.

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