Domenici staffer decides he won’t run for Congress

Clint Chandler, a Las Cruces staffer for U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, has decided he won’t seek the Congressional seat being vacated by Steve Pearce.

“I have concluded the time demands required to conduct an effective campaign would place too many strains on my family,” he said. “My children are aged six and nine, and I prefer to invest in them the time I would otherwise spend chasing dollars around the state.”

Chandler said the decision was difficult because “several current officeholders” he did not name “had committed to endorse me, and many other electeds and party activists and strongly encouraged me to make the run.”

“Their confidence has been humbling and very much appreciated. I’ll long remember the kindness and generosity I encountered while I traveled to various parts of the district late last year,” he said. “I believe public service is a high calling, and perhaps I will pursue a similar course in the future. I’m still a thirtysomething, and I may yet encounter other opportunities to serve in the years to come.”

The GOP candidates who have declared their candidacies are former Bernalillo County GOP Executive Director Bob Cornelius, rancher and retired banker Aubrey L. Dunn Jr., former Sierra County GOP Chair C. Earl Greer, former state Rep. Terry Marquardt, Hobbs Mayor Monty Newman, Las Cruces daycare center owner Greg Sowards and restaurant-chain owner and rancher Ed Tinsley.