Chávez formally enters U.S. Senate race

Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez announced today that he will run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated next year by Pete Domenici.

“I am pleased this morning to announce my candidacy for the United States Senate,” the Democrat said during a news conference in Albuquerque. “These are extraordinarily difficult times for our country. … As a senator, I will vote to end this war now.”

The mayor was flanked by a number of high-raking Democrats who were obviously aiming to show a great deal of support for Chávez at a time when many are concerned that he isn’t the strongest candidate they could run against formidable Republican opponents. GOP U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson has already announced that she’s running, and U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., will announce later today whether he’s running.

Chávez’s decision leaked Monday, so the news conference was a mere formality. At the event, Chávez praised Domenici’s long record of service to New Mexico.

“He’s been a great friend of Albuquerque, and he leaves big shoes to fill, along with a legacy that he can be proud of,” Chávez said of Domenici.

In addition to voting to end the war, Chávez said, as New Mexico’s next senator, he would push for comprehensive health-care reform, responsible management of the nation’s finances and a new focus on combating global warming and making the nation energy independent – a mission in which he said the state’s national labs would play a key role. Chávez said he would also vote to repeal the No Child Left Behind Act.

He said he believes the GOP “will fight mean and dirty. Their war and their power are at stake. But in my heart, I know that they no longer represent the mainstream in their party or in New Mexico.”

“I still believe one person can make a difference,” he said. “No one person has worked harder to make Albuquerque a better place than I.”

GOP primary battle ‘doesn’t matter’

Chávez is facing some obstacles as he begins his run. All Chávez-backed candidates and referenda were defeated in last week’s municipal election in Albuquerque by a loose coalition of Republicans and progressive Democrats, and a SurveyUSA poll conducted this weekend for KOB-TV in Albuquerque found that Chávez will face a difficult race against Wilson and would start at a huge disadvantage against Pearce.

Chávez said none of that concerns him.

“It doesn’t matter to me who the GOP nominates,” he said, adding that he will focus on issues including Iraq, health care and education. “I’m going to talk about those opportunities, and we’ll let whomever they nominate talk about whatever it is they want to talk about.”

“I have more experience, with the exception of our governor, than any elected official in the State of New Mexico,” Chávez said.

He acknowledged that he had spoken with Gov. Bill Richardson, who has said he won’t get in the race, and Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, who is considering the race, but would not share details of those conversations. A news release from his campaign, however, said Richardson indicated he has no intention of running for Senate.

Update, 1:10 p.m.

The Republican Party of New Mexico just put out a news release calling Chávez “irresponsible.”

“As Albuquerque mayor, Marty Chávez has raised taxes and dramatically increased spending, treating taxpayers like his own personal ATM,” the release states. “His priorities have been on pet projects rather than on public safety or basic services. And Chávez salivated at the opportunity to seize private property.

The release cites a long list of Chávez actions, then labels him “wrong for New Mexico.”

“Marty Chávez has raised taxes on New Mexicans a number of times, and there’s no reason to think that would change if he were elected to the United States Senate. His belt-busting budgets show his love of big government and his disregard for the way in which he spends hard-earned tax dollars,” the release states. “Chávez has neglected public safety and turned Albuquerque into a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants who commit crimes. Ethically, Chávez has also shown that his personal and political ambitions are more important than maintaining the integrity of elected office. Marty Chávez is wrong for the people of New Mexico.”

Update, 2:10 p.m.

Democrat Don Wiviott, who has committed to spending $2.1 million in a Senate primary that will now include Chávez, released this statement:

“I welcome Marty Chávez to the campaign. I got in this race early because I believe there are serious issues facing this country, such as bringing our troops home from Iraq, creating jobs and protecting our planet, that are more important than partisan or personal politics,” he said. “I’m going to keep doing what I’ve been doing since I announced my candidacy in late June: Introduce myself to the people of New Mexico and explain why we need a strong, progressive voice in Washington. I’m committed to winning this race.”