Democrats from around the state gather in Las Cruces

The Democratic Party of New Mexico’s convention in Las Cruces was well attended by political oldtimers and newcomers alike.

Many from Southern New Mexico were impressed at the number of officials who made the trek from Santa Fe or elsewhere to Las Cruces, including Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, Speaker of the House Ben Lujan and Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez.

Potential gubernatorial candidate and Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez had the strongest showing of anyone politicking for a 2008 or 2010 race. He had the largest signs hanging in the Las Cruces High School gymnasium, had a number of people wearing and handing out “Marty” T-shirts, and also had a creative idea: His people were handing out energy-saving light bulbs with one of his stickers attached to the boxes.

Denish’s campaign handed out breakfast burritos, and the lieutenant governor was around for about half the day, but Chávez stuck around until the end.

The two lesser-known candidates for U.S. Senate – Jim Hannan and Leland Lerhman – spent the day politicking. So did Albuquerque City Councilor Martin Heinrich, who plans to run against U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, and Al Kissing and Doña Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley, who are both running against U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce.

A number of potential future candidates, including State Rep. Al Park and State Auditor Hector Balderas, also showed up. The briefest appearance by any potential candidate came from State Rep. Joseph Cervantes, who shook hands for 20 minutes before leaving.

Here are some photos from the event: