Wirth to run for Senate seat Grubesic is vacating

State Rep. Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, has announced that he will seek the state Senate seat being vacated next year by Democrat John Grubesic.

Wirth, 45, made the announcement in a news release. His House seat is also up for grabs next year, and Wirth’s decision makes it an open seat.

“My service in the Legislature to date is an honor and privilege, and I thank my constituents for all their support,” he said. “Moving to the Senate with a slightly larger district will provide an even better position from which to serve my current constituents and the greater Santa Fe community. It will give me a chance to expand the work I have done in the House on important issues facing our state including water, the environment, state finances and tax fairness, among others.”

Wirth had been considering running for the U.S. House seat currently held by Rep. Tom Udall if Udall opted to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated next year by Pete Domenici, but Udall decided to stay in the U.S. House. Grubesic announced earlier this week that he won’t seek re-election next year because of financial concerns.

That makes this the first time in 23 years that state Senate District 25 is an open seat. It includes about 90 percent of Wirth’s House district.

Wirth is married to Carol Romero-Wirth and they have two children, ages 14 and 10.

Two other Democrats have entered the race to replace Grubesic: attorney Brian Egolf, who has already raised $85,000 for his run, and activist Mekah Gordon.

Update, 3:15 p.m.

Egolf released this statement in response to Wirth’s announcement:

“I’m running for the families in New Mexico who are having a hard time making ends meet. I’m running for the parents who want their children to be able to raise their families in New Mexico. And I’m running for the people who feel they have no voice in government,” he said. “I intend to earn the trust and confidence of the voters over the coming months of the campaign, and I look forward to a spirited debate about the future of New Mexico and its wonderful people. I invite the community to join my campaign and hope for the honor of serving Santa Fe in the Legislature.”