Janice Arnold-Jones (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
Republican Janice Arnold-Jones is sounding more like a candidate for the 1st Congressional District seat in Congress with language she uses in a news release sent earlier today.
Arnold-Jones, a former state lawmaker and gubernatorial candidate who has formed a congressional exploratory committee, announced today that she has added fundraising staffers to her committee.
“In the coming weeks, as we work with our exploratory committee team and build toward the next level, we will announce more additions to the professional team,” Arnold-Jones said in the release. “At this point we are proceeding with a businesslike approach to ensure all the pieces are in place when we decide to take the next logical step.”
Notice that she said “when” she takes the next step, not “if.” And notice that she plans to hire more staffers. It appears that Arnold-Jones plans to run but isn’t yet ready to formally declare her candidacy.
She would join Albuquerque City Councilor Dan Lewis in the GOP primary for the Albuquerque-area seat in Congress. Economic Development Secretary Jon Barela, who ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2010, is also considering joining the race.
On the Democratic side, State Sen. Eric Griego is the only declared candidate. Former Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, former Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez, and Terry Brunner, U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman’s former state director who now heads USDA Rural Development in New Mexico, are considering running for the seat, which is being vacated by Democrat Martin Heinrich.