{"id":2389,"date":"2007-10-16T18:24:00","date_gmt":"2007-10-17T00:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/2007\/10\/in-2nd-district-all-eyes-are-on-cervantes-republicans\/"},"modified":"2007-10-16T18:24:00","modified_gmt":"2007-10-17T00:24:00","slug":"in-2nd-district-all-eyes-are-on-cervantes-republicans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2007\/10\/in-2nd-district-all-eyes-are-on-cervantes-republicans\/","title":{"rendered":"In 2nd District, all eyes are on Cervantes, Republicans"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Though none have yet stepped forward, it\u2019s likely that a number of Republicans will join the three Democrats already running for the Second Congressional District seat being vacated next year by GOP Rep. Steve Pearce<\/a>, who has decided to run for Senate. <\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

But perhaps the biggest question is whether state Rep. Joseph Cervantes<\/a>, D-Las Cruces, will enter the race. He has considered but declined for years to run against Pearce, but many \u2013 some after having conversations with Cervantes \u2013 have said in recent days that they expected Cervantes to enter the House race if Pearce ran for the Senate seat being vacated by Pete Domenici<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

And political analyst Jose Garcia, who has served as the treasurer for Cervantes\u2019 state House campaigns, wrote in a guest column<\/a> published on this site on Oct. 6 that Cervantes \u201cwould almost certainly waste no time getting into the (House) race\u201d if Pearce ran for Senate.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Cervantes has not returned repeated phone calls today, and has also not responded to a text message or e-mail.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

On the Democratic side, Al Kissling<\/a>, Do\u00f1a Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley<\/a> and former Lea County Commissioner Harry Teague<\/a> have entered the race. Many doubt Kissling will get the support at the preprimary nominating convention to qualify for the ballot, but a race that involves Cervantes, McCamley and Teague would be interesting.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

McCamley had $186,000 on hand at the end of the third quarter and has secured the endorsements of a number of union groups, three state representatives from Do\u00f1a<\/st1:placename> Ana<\/st1:placename> County<\/st1:placename> and one Public Regulation Commission member from Sierra<\/st1:placename> County<\/st1:placetype><\/st1:place>. But Cervantes and Teague both have money. How much can they put into the race?<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

McCamley and Teague would likely to split the Anglo vote, but Cervantes and McCamley would likely to split the vote in the western half of the district. Most political watchers who analyzed that potential race said today it would be an exciting contest that\u2019s difficult to predict.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Teague said earlier today that it didn\u2019t matter who, including Cervantes, entered the race. McCamley released a statement reaffirming his commitment.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cSince I announced my candidacy (in April), I have put over 30,000 miles on my car traveling the second district to meet with the people of Southern New Mexico and hear about their concerns and issues,\u201d he said. \u201cNow that Pearce has announced his candidacy for Senate, I am more committed than ever to winning this seat and using it to bring real change to Washington<\/st1:place><\/st1:state>. With over $200,000 raised so far and the recent endorsements of key elected officials and unions, our campaign is picking up momentum, and we are going to keep gaining momentum all the way to victory next November.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee<\/a>, the fundraising arm of House Democrats, is optimistic about the chance of taking another seat from the GOP. Some Washington Republicans had discouraged Pearce from running for Senate because they didn\u2019t want to have to defend his House seat.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cIf it\u2019s not one thing, it\u2019s another for national Republicans already scrambling to plug all the holes in their sinking ship,\u201d DCCC spokesman Doug Thornell said. \u201cNew Mexico<\/st1:place><\/st1:state> 2 presents Democrats with a great pickup opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

The Republican equation<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>On the Republican side, there is no frontrunner or automatic candidate for Pearce\u2019s seat. Many had assumed for years that state House Minority Whip Dan Foley<\/a>, R-Roswell, would run when the seat came open, but with the criminal case against him in limbo<\/a>, Foley isn\u2019t likely to consider the race. And though Do\u00f1a Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez<\/a> is being asked to consider the race, she says she isn\u2019t interested.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Many Republicans are floating the names of Phelps Anderson and Ed Tinsley, who lost to Pearce in the Republican primary in 2002.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Anderson<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> wouldn\u2019t say whether he\u2019s interested because, though a source close to Pearce has confirmed to me and other media outlets that the congressman is running for Senate, he said it\u2019s not appropriate to comment until Pearce himself makes his decision known.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Anderson<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> noted, however, that he and Pearce were two of seven Republicans who ran the last time the seat was open, and he suspects that, \u201cif Steve decides to run for Senate, we\u2019ll see a crowded primary again.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Scott Darnell, spokesman for the state Republican Party<\/a>, said no one has contacted the party \u201cwith an interest in running\u201d for Pearce\u2019s seat.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Republican Party is confident that we will have quality candidates for Congress next year,\u201d he said. \u201cThese candidates will have the grassroots support and resources necessary to engage voters in a rigorous discussion about preserving the safety of the American people and bettering the lives of New Mexicans. There\u2019s no question that recent developments present new challenges for the Republican Party, but we\u2019re eager to take them on and confident that we will win.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

One name being floated is that of state Rep. Bill Gray<\/a>, R-Artesia, who replaced the retiring Joe Stell in the Legislature this year. He\u2019s a wealthy, moderate Republican who a knowledgeable source confirmed is considering the race.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Now that the seat is open, other Republicans and Democrats are certain to consider the race, and more names will emerge in the coming days.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

The Senate race<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

A source close to Pearce said the congressman will informally tell friends and supporters about the decision in the coming days and will make a formal announcement sometime after that. The source would not comment on whether Pearce has done any polling or will commit any of his personal wealth to the race.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Albuquerque Mayor Martin Ch\u00e1vez<\/a>, the most high-profile Democrat in the Senate race, said he isn\u2019t concerned about the prospect of facing Pearce. He previously told me Pearce was more formidable than U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson<\/a>, R-N.M., who is also running for Senate.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cThe GOP will determine their nominee. The Democrats will determine ours,\u201d Ch\u00e1vez said. \u201cI feel very comfortable with either of the principal Republicans. I wouldn\u2019t count out this Spiro, either. I don\u2019t know him.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cSpiro\u201d is political newcomer Spiro G. Vassilopoulos<\/a>, a GOP oilman who has also entered the race.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Former state Attorney General Patricia Madrid<\/a>, who announced today that she won\u2019t seek the Senate seat, said she understands why Pearce is running. Wilson<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> narrowly defeated her last year in a tough re-election bid.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cHe is a lot stronger than Heather Wilson on that side of the ticket,\u201d Madrid<\/st1:place><\/st1:state> said. \u201cThere\u2019s no doubt that my race against Heather Wilson weakened her and damaged her significantly.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Wilson<\/st1:place><\/st1:city>\u2019s office declined comment.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Brian Col\u00f3n, chairman of the state Democratic Party<\/a>, pointed out that Pearce has been a steadfast supporter of the president\u2019s Iraq<\/st1:place><\/st1:country-region> policy and voted against a bill to increase funding for children\u2019s health insurance. He also accused Pearce of consistently voting \u201cto support Bush\u2019s fiscally reckless management of the budget that turned record surpluses into record deficits.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cIn the real world, when folks fail miserably at their jobs like Steve Pearce has, they get fired, not promoted,\u201d Col\u00f3n said. \u201cSteve Pearce is in a state of denial to believe that his record of failure would lead the people of New Mexico<\/st1:place><\/st1:state> to consider giving him a promotion.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

The other candidates who have entered the Senate race are political newcomers Don Wiviott<\/a>, Jim Hannan<\/a> and Leland Lehrman<\/a>, all Democrats. Lt. Gov. Diane Denish<\/a>, a Democrat, and Land Commissioner Pat Lyons<\/a>, a Republican, are both considering the race. Denish said she doesn\u2019t know when she\u2019ll make a decision, and Lyons<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> has not returned several calls seeking comment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Though none have yet stepped forward, it\u2019s likely that a number of Republicans will join the three Democrats already running for the Second Congressional District seat being vacated next year by GOP Rep. Steve Pearce, who has decided to run for Senate. But perhaps the biggest question is whether state Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2389","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2389","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2389"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2389\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2389"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2389"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2389"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}