There was no news release, no public announcement, and little fanfare, but Brian Colón resigned from his position as chairman of the Democratic Party of New Mexico this weekend as expected, apparently with the intention of entering the lieutenant governor’s race.
Colón made his resignation official in a Friday letter to the state party’s vice chair, Annadelle Sanchez, which was posted at Democracy for New Mexico. His resignation took effect Saturday.
“I am proud and humbled by all we have accomplished together. We had clear electoral success at all levels of government. We truly became a ‘Blue State in ‘08’ with victories up and down the ballot,” Colón wrote about his 2.5 years as party chairman. “President Barack Obama carried New Mexico, Tom Udall is our new United States Senator and we have three Democratic Members of Congress. Importantly, we also picked up three seats in the State House and three seats in the State Senate along with terrific judges all over New Mexico.”
Colón made no mention in his letter of running for lieutenant governor, but sources have confirmed that he plans to do just that. He has confirmed that he’s considering entering the race.
Colón will be joining a crowded primary. Already in the race are Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano, state Sens. Linda Lopez and Gerald Ortiz y Pino of Albuquerque and State Rep. Jose Campos of Santa Rosa. Matthew Padilla, a law student and former U.S. Navy officer, says he plans to form an exploratory committee this week.
Lawrence Rael, who heads the Mid-Region Council of Governments, is considering running. And Española Mayor Joseph Maestas says he may also run.