Republican Doug Turner is putting all the pieces in place for a 2010 gubernatorial run, though he isn’t saying at this point that he’s certain he’s running.
Turner is “leaning toward getting into the race,” he said Tuesday in an interview, adding that he has “hired a few folks, brought on some external consultants” and done significant polling. He said he has an “initial staff” in place.
The CEO of the Albuquerque-based public relations firm DW Turner said he has already spent “considerable” personal money preparing for a run.
“We’re making sure we’ve got the right team and the right resources and, when all that’s in place, we’ll announce,” Turner said.
Turner was state director for former Gov. Gary Johnson’s first campaign in 1994 and manager of his re-election campaign in 1998. Turner was also deputy political director for Steve Forbes’ unsuccessful 2000 presidential campaign.
He has previously said he won’t form an exploratory committee — he will either run or not — and has indicated that he will make a final decision in mid to late August.
The only declared Republican gubernatorial candidate is Albuquerque financial adviser and Army National Guard brigadier general Greg Zanetti, but Doña Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez plans to enter the race on Friday. Former state GOP Chairman Allen Weh and state Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones, R-Albuquerque, have formed exploratory committees.
And former U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson has said she is seriously considering running.
On the Democratic side, the only declared candidate is Lt. Gov. Diane Denish. Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez says he’s formed an exploratory committee as he considers challenging Denish for the nomination, but he hasn’t been very active in the race.