Cervantes tells supporters he is running for Congress

State Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, is informing close friends and supporters tonight in an e-mail that he is running for the Second Congressional District seat being vacated by Steve Pearce.

Cervantes plans to make his formal announcement at a party that will be held Monday evening in Las Cruces.

Cervantes joins state Rep. Jose Campos of Santa Rosa, Al Kissling of Las Cruces, Doña Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley, Roswell businessman Frank McKinnon and former Lea County Commissioner Harry Teague in the Democratic primary.

On the Republican side, only GOP restaurant-chain owner and rancher Ed Tinsley has formally entered the race, but former Bernalillo County GOP Executive Director Bob Cornelius has formed an exploratory committee “with the intent to run.” Sierra County Republican Party Chair C. Earl Greer and Aubrey L. Dunn Jr. are expected to make final decisions soon, and others are also considering the race.

Cervantes will be joined at Monday’s party by a number of high-profile Democrats, and will be endorsed by House Majority Leader Ken Martinez, state Reps. Al Park of Albuquerque and Peter Wirth of Santa Fe, and former state Rep. J. Paul Taylor of Mesilla.

Roswell GOP businessman Phelps Anderson, meanwhile, announced today that he won’t run for the seat.

“After much consideration, I have decided not to seek election to the Second Congressional District office for New Mexico. Family and business obligations must come first in 2008,” Anderson said in a prepared statement. “I believe the Republican Party will field a strong and able candidate from the district to continue the long tradition of leadership and service to the citizens of the New Mexico.”