Albuquerque mayor appointed to DNC seat

Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez has been appointed to an at-large seat on the Democratic National Committee, the Albuquerque Journal is reporting.

Chávez was notified of the appointment this week by DNC Chairman Howard Dean while in Washington for a meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Chávez has been a high-profile mayor in recent months on national issues that include the environment and water supplies.

The appointment boosts Chávez’s potential 2010 run for governor and, Chávez told the Journal, the presidential bid of Gov. Bill Richardson, who he supports. The DNC runs the national party, promotes candidates and plans presidential nominating conventions.