U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M. (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
‘I think we have a very capable congressional delegation, and I’m confident they can carry on,’ retiring senator says
Jeff Bingaman has always been one to speak plainly, and today was no exception when he explained why he has decided to retire from the U.S. Senate.
“At some point in any one of these jobs, you come to a point where you think you’ve made your best effort, and it’s time to move on and allow someone else to serve,” the Democrat said at a news conference in Albuquerque. “That’s the point I’ve arrived at.”
He was asked more than once to elaborate, and he essentially repeated himself: He’s spent 28 years making his “best effort” in the U.S. Senate. He’ll continue doing it for another 22 months, and then it will be time for him to find something else to do.
“At the end of this term, we look forward to once again living in New Mexico and pursuing other challenges,” he said, adding that he and his wife will live in Santa Fe.
Bingaman said he doesn’t yet know what he will do when he retires, but he plans to continue working. He’s currently 67.
‘No shortage of folks interested in pursuing the job’
Bingaman’s retirement immediately set off a race to replace him. NMPolitics.net has learned that those who are considering running for the seat include, on the Democratic side, U.S. Reps. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján and former Lt. Gov. Diane Denish.
On the Republican side they include U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce and former U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson. In addition, two less-known Republicans have already entered the race.
Bingaman told reporters he’s confident the seat will remain in Democratic hands, and he will work to ensure that happens, but he wouldn’t go further in talking about who he thinks is ready to replace him.
“That’s not a decision for me to make. That’s a decision for the people of the state to make,” Bingaman said. “I think there will probably be no shortage of folks interested in pursuing the job.”
‘A very capable congressional delegation’
Bingaman, the state’s senior senator, had kind words for U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., and the rest of the delegation.
“I think we have a very capable congressional delegation, and I’m confident they can carry on,” he said.
Udall called Bingaman “one of the most thoughtful and serious legislators” in a prepared statement, and said, “We owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for his outstanding public service.”
“Jeff has never been one to promote himself, but his accomplishments are too great to list,” Udall said. “He has been a national leader in pushing for a 21st Century energy policy; he is an expert in the health care arena; and he is a champion in the effort to protect our environment and conserve our special public places in New Mexico and across the country for generations to come.”
‘There’s still a lot to be done’
Udall is right about Bingaman not being one to promote himself. Asked to list accomplishments about which he’s most proud during today’s news conference, Bingaman said he’s “very proud” of his accomplishments but essentially deflected the question.
“I haven’t tallied up what the various achievements are,” Bingaman said. “I think we’ve done some good in a variety of areas and I think we have some more opportunity to do good this year and next year.”
Bingaman said it’s been a “great honor” to serve in the Senate, and said his decision to retire was “obviously not easy.”
“There’s a lot still to be done,” he said, mentioning legislation related to energy, education and the economy. “But that will undoubtedly be true at the end of every future Congress as well. … There’s no ideal time to leave the Senate.”