Lyons decides against running for Senate

State Land Commissioner Pat Lyons has decided against seeking the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Pete Domenici, but he hasn’t ruled out a 2010 gubernatorial run.

“We’ve decided it would be best if I just keep doing to the job I’m doing,” Lyons said today. “People elected me for four years to do this job, and I’m just going to keep on doing what I’m doing.”

He said the fact that he would have faced U.S. Reps. Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson in a Republican primary was a factor, but so was the fact that his daughter is still in grade school.

“We feel like we need to stay in New Mexico a little longer,” he said of his daughter’s schooling.

The other Republican who has entered the Senate race is newcomer Spiro G. Vassilopoulos. The Democrats who are running for Senate are Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez and political newcomers Don Wiviott, Jim Hannan and Leland Lehrman.

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish is also considering the Senate race.

Lyons said he’s still thinking about the gubernatorial race. Were he to win, he would take that office the same day he left the land commissioner office.

“The whole political deck’s been reshuffled here, so we’re going to have to see how things shake out,” he said. “It’s something we’re considering.”