Former Lea County commissioner to run for Congress

Former Lea County Commissioner Harry Teague, a conservative Democrat, informed party officials today that he is running for the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M.

He joins two other Democrats in the race – Doña Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley and Al Kissling, both from Las Cruces.

It was too late to reach Teague, the owner of Eunice Well Servicing Co., when I learned of his candidacy tonight, but Stephanie DuBois, the state Democratic Party’s Second Congressional District vice chair, confirmed that he called today to inform her that he’s running.

Teague is currently the chair of a state transportation needs task force convened by Lt. Gov. Diane Denish.

The timing of his entrance in to the race is interesting. Teague is an associate of Pearce, a fellow Hobbs oilman who is considering giving up his House seat to run for the Senate seat being vacated by Pete Domenici next year. Pearce has formed a finance committee, but opinions are mixed on whether he’s leaning toward or against running for Senate.

I can’t help but wonder whether Teague knows something that Pearce hasn’t announced publicly.

Though Teague has given money primarily to Democratic candidates over the years, he gave $1,000 to Pearce in 2004 and $2,100 to Pearce in 2006, which is certain to raise eyebrows in the Democratic Party. In 2004, Teague also gave $2,000 to one of Pearce’s Democratic opponents, Jeff Steinborn, who didn’t make it past the primary, and in 2006 he gave $250 to Kissling, Pearce’s only Democratic opponent.

In June, he gave $2,300 – the maximum allowed – to McCamley’s congressional campaign.

I’ll have more on this on Tuesday, including, I hope, an interview with Teague.