Heather Wilson (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
Dems pounce on ‘second-tier’ GOP field; Martinez says she’s the only one left who can beat Denish
Democrats were quick to spin today’s news that Republican Heather Wilson won’t enter the gubernatorial race, saying it leaves the GOP field with nothing more than second-tier candidates. Republican gubernatorial candidate Susana Martinez, on the other hand, was quick say she’s now the only GOP candidate who has a chance to defeat Diane Denish next November.
But Wilson, in the statement she released earlier today announcing her decision, gave little that could be used to back up the claims of either. The former congresswoman cited being satisfied with her current work in the private sector, volunteerism and having more time with family and friends as the primary reasons for her decision.
In addition, Wilson is an expert on national security, and she made reference to the fact that the governor “has no significant national security role.”
“Running for office and being governor means setting these things aside,” Wilson said. “To every thing there is a season. I will probably return to public life at some point, but I have decided that I will not run for governor or any other office in 2010.”
That leaves four candidates in the Republican primary battling for the right to take on Denish. In addition to Martinez, Doña Ana County’s district attorney, they are state Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones, public relations professional Doug Turner and former state GOP Chairman Allen Weh.
The state Democratic Party took advantage of the opportunity to pounce on them all.
“Heather Wilson, sensing the strength of Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, today decided she would not seek the governor’s office. The Republican Party, decimated after the 2008 election, is left with a nothing more than a handful of second-tier candidates for the state’s top office,” Josh Geise, the Democratic Party’s executive director, said in a news release.
“Regardless of who emerges from the Republican primary, the lack of experience in their entire slate of Republican candidates should deeply concern New Mexicans,” Geise said. “Now is not the time for on-the-job training. We need a proven leader to help New Mexico families weather these tough times, and none of the Republicans running come close to meeting that challenge.”
‘More clear than ever that I am the one’
Martinez, not surprisingly, had a different take.
“With Heather’s announcement that she will not seek the governorship in 2010, it has become more clear than ever that I am the one candidate seeking the Republican Party’s nomination who can build the necessary coalition to compete and win next fall,” she said. “I have a proven track record of bringing people together and winning tough elections in a county where Republicans are outnumbered nearly three to one.”
The Martinez campaign was also quick to highlight a longtime Wilson friend who recently decided to help Martinez raise money. Though it’s not an endorsement, a recent fundraising letter Martinez sent out includes this quote from Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White:
“Susana Martinez is a strong leader with rock-solid convictions,” White’s quote states. “There’s no tougher prosecutor in the state and she has a real record holding corrupt public officials accountable.”
Weh also put out a statement about Wilson’s announcement, but his wasn’t designed to capitalize on the situation.
“Heather Wilson has been a distinguished public servant for this state and nation,” Weh said. “I am quite confident she is not done with public service regardless of this decision.”
‘The Republicans aren’t stopping’
Denish, for her part, didn’t release a statement about Wilson’s announcement. But she did send out a fundraising e-mail shortly after Wilson’s decision became public.
“The Republicans aren’t stopping. They are coming up with new attacks every day,” she wrote in the e-mail. “Just yesterday, one of my opponents attacked me on Twitter and another attacked me via Facebook. They’re coming at me from every direction — and every medium — they can find! That’s why we need to be prepared to get our message out to all New Mexicans.”
Update, 3:50 p.m.
Ryan Cangiolosi, executive director of the state GOP, issued this statement in response to the statement by Geise:
“Over the course of the last 70 years, this state has been dominated by the Democrat Party. In return for their investment, New Mexicans have received a state economy in ruins, a reputation badly tarnished by an unending string of public corruption scandals, and an education system which continues to fail our children.
“For the last six-and-a-half years, Diane Denish has occupied a platform from which she has been well positioned to champion meaningful reform. And yet the state’s current financial health and reputation reflect that she has not done this. Therefore, it becomes increasingly ridiculous that the Democrat Party continues to portray Denish as a seasoned leader while at the same time arguing that she bears no responsibility for the current administration’s failures.
“As the primary date nears, Republicans statewide will select a gubernatorial candidate with the integrity, experience and vision necessary to get this state back on track. We are confident that come November 2010 this nominee will be elected to serve the people of New Mexico.”
Update, 4:40 p.m.
Arnold-Jones posted this statement on her Facebook page:
“Heather Wilson’s statement of her intentions provides clarity and opportunity for the Republican Party and she has earned a rest from public service. Heather Wilson sacrificed her time and irreplaceable moments with her family to represent New Mexico. She served with courage, tenacity, grace and unmatched intellect. I hope she will find time to help define the path forward for the Republican Party and for the State.”