Teague to formally announce congressional run Nov. 8

Former Lea County Commissioner Harry Teague plans to formally announce on Nov. 8 that he’s running for the Second Congressional District seat being vacated by GOP U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce.

Teague plans to make the announcement at 5 p.m. on that day at the Democratic Party headquarters in Hobbs, located at 604 West Broadway, according to a news release.

“The issues our country is facing – ending the war in Iraq, health care coverage for all, immigration reform and access to a high quality education – are too important to ignore,” Teague said. “The needs of the people of this district have been neglected for years, and we must have a strong voice who can fight for us on these issues and who can work with members of both parties to get things done for New Mexico and our nation. That is why I am running for Congress.”

Teague was a member of the Lea County Commission for eight years, serving as chairman for 3.5 years. He has also served as a board member for the Lea County Fair and the Boys and Girls club of Hobbs. He helped start the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program in Lea County.

“I have worked hard my entire life and have tried to give as much back as possible to my community. Now I believe it is time for me to give back to New Mexico and to our country,” Teague said.

On the Democratic side, Al Kissling and Doña Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley are also running, and state Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, appears headed toward an announcement on or around the same day that Teague will formally announce.

No Republican has entered the race, but a number are considering it, including Sierra County Republican Party Chair C. Earl Greer; Ed Tinsley and Phelps Anderson, who both ran unsuccessfully against Pearce in the 2002 primary; state Rep. Don Bratton of Hobbs; Roswell Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Mike Kakuska; and former Roswell Mayor Bill Owen.