State Sen. Joe Carraro, R-Albuquerque, announced today that he has formed an exploratory committee as he considers whether to run for the First Congressional District seat being vacated by Heather Wilson.
“As a state senator I have dedicated my life to improving the quality of life of every New Mexican. Now, I believe I can make a real difference in the life of every citizen of our great country and am considering running for the United States House of Representatives,” Carraro said.
He said his committee includes friends, supporters and business leaders, and he plans to do polling and “evaluate financial, volunteer and consultant commitments to ensure a successful run for this important congressional race.”
At this point, Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White is the only Republican who has entered the race, but state Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones, R-Albuquerque, has also formed an exploratory committee. On the Democratic side, attorney Jon Adams, teacher Jason Call, Albuquerque City Councilor Martin Heinrich and former state Health Secretary Michelle Lujan Grisham are running for the House seat.
Carraro, who first began serving in the state Senate in 1985, is the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee and serves on the Legislative Finance Committee.
During his tenure in the Legislature, Carraro said in a news release, he has championed education reform and increased salaries for teachers, stronger laws to protect children against predators, better care for the developmentally disabled, more meaningful legislation to combat drunken driving, tax cuts, lower utility rates and help for military personnel and veterans.
“The challenges facing our country affect us deeply here at home, and I know I will be part of the solution to these troubled times,” Carraro said.