State Auditor Hector Balderas
State Auditor Hector Balderas will decide by April 30 whether to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Jeff Bingaman.
That’s according to a source with knowledge of the situation, who said Balderas is still “seriously considering” running. The source gave no clues about which way Balderas is leaning.
Entering the Senate race would put Balderas up against U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich in a Democratic primary battle. Heinrich recently reported that he has nearly $350,000 in the bank, and Balderas would start from scratch. If Balderas is going to enter the race, he needs to do it soon, so the timing of his decision makes sense.
There are signs that Democrats in Washington expect Heinrich to face a credible challenger. For example, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee’s chairwoman recently said she won’t endorse in the New Mexico Senate primary, even though she did endorse in a race in another state.
No Democrats except Heinrich and little-known community activist Andres Valdez have entered the race. Balderas is the high-profile Democrat said to be most seriously considering challenging Heinrich for the party’s nomination.
In fact, Politico has reported that Balderas is “95 percent in” the Senate race.
On the Republican side, former U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson and two lesser-known candidates – Greg Sowards and William S. English – have entered the race. Lt. Gov. John Sanchez is seriously considering entering the race, and U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce says he’s also considering running.