Four state legislators and a
State Sens. Leonard Lee Rawson, R-Las Cruces, and John Arthur Smith, D-Deming, Reps. Joseph Cervantes and Jeff Steinborn, both Las Cruces Democrats, and Sierra County Republican Party Chair C. Earl Greer are all considering the Second Congressional District race.
Cervantes, Greer and Rawson appear to be more serious in their consideration than Smith and Steinborn. Smith said he’s been asked repeatedly in the last 10 days to consider running. He said he will, but noted that he’s still carrying a $50,000 debt from his failed 2002 run against Pearce.
Steinborn said he’s enjoying his current position, and Congress “is not a serious consideration for me, but it’s something I haven’t closed the door on.”
Rawson, on the other hand, said he’s “absolutely” considering the race.
“We’re looking very hard at it and we’ll determine if it’s the appropriate thing to do,” he said, while declining to give a timeline for a decision.
Cervantes said he is “doing what it takes right now, at this stage, and it would be a great privilege to represent the district. I think the country clearly is looking for change and I’ve worked for seven years in a legislative body doing the same thing in
He also did not give a timeline for a decision.
Greer said he is “taking a serious look” at a congressional run and will decide within a week.
“We’re going through the process. We’re talking to supporters,” he said. “… As a family, we’re sitting down and talking about what it would mean for our family.”
Greer, Smith and Steinborn have all run unsuccessfully for the seat in recent years. Steinborn said he will wait a few days to allow the dust to settle before making any decisions.
“We’ll just wait and see what emerges over the next few days, but as of this moment, I’m satisfied working for the people of District 37 and serving the State of
In addition to noting his debt, Smith said he has built seniority in
Preliminary analysis
Rawson, the Senate minority whip and the only Republican legislator from
Cervantes could also be a strong candidate, both because of his record and because he is one of the few, if not the only, known Hispanic Democrat considering the race. But here’s another scenario: If Rawson runs for Congress, Cervantes and Steinborn might considering running for his state Senate seat, which is up for grabs next year and encompasses much of both of their House districts.
Greer has worked hard in the past to win influential positions, but he failed in his bid to unseat Pearce, lost a Public Regulation Commission race last year and failed to unseat state GOP Chair Allen Weh earlier this year.
That doesn’t mean he should be counted out. The Second Congressional District is conservative, and, at least if Rawson opts against running, there isn’t an obvious frontrunner for the GOP.
“I know that the other side of the aisle is licking their chops, but I wouldn’t take things for granted if I was them,” Greer said.
The Democrats who have already entered the race are Al Kissling, Doña Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley and former Lea County Commissioner Harry Teague. Many doubt Kissling will get the support at the preprimary nominating convention to qualify for the ballot, but McCamley had already raised $206,000 at the end of September and Teague can finance his own campaign, if necessary, and is the only Democrat from the eastern side of the district who has announced that he is running or is seriously considering the race.
At this point, no Republicans have entered the race.