Val Kilmer has hired the Washington public relations firm McMahon, Squier & Associates to handle communications and media for his potential gubernatorial campaign, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed.
The move is a major step toward a gubernatorial run for an actor who has made a lot of noise about considering running for New Mexico governor in 2010 but taken no visible, concrete steps toward making it happen — until now.
The hiring of the firm follows Kilmer’s visit to Washington, D.C. last week. While there, he met with political operatives and some members of the New Mexico congressional delegation.
McMahon Squier, according to the company’s Web site, specializes in communications, advertising production and strategic media placement. It’s one of the powerhouse firms in the Washington area, and clients listed on its Web site include the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, a governor and two members of Congress and the League of Conservation Voters.
Kilmer is a registered Democrat, and he would face Lt. Gov. Diane Denish and possibly others in a primary next year.