Domenici Says He'll Run Again

Joe Monahan has spent all week discussing who will make a run for Senate if Sen. Pete Domenici decides not to run for re-election. Monahan looks at the two Republican House members, Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson, to go up against each other in the Republican primary. As for Democrats, Monahan name-checked Lt. Governor Diane Denish, Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez and Rep. Tom Udall in today's post.

But Heath Haussamen cuts off that talk. Haussamen cites an article from The Hill where the 74-year-old Domenici says he will run again.

From Haussamen:

Domenici is 74, and it's no secret that his health is declining. But, if the newspaper is to be believed, the senator has made clear that being a smaller player in Congress won't be enough to chase him from office.

But Haussamen can't help but think about if Domenici does retire.

His retirement would create a domino effect. On the Republican side, Wilson has been groomed to take Domenici's place, but Pearce may believe he is the stronger candidate after Wilson's recent battle to keep her seat. Pearce is currently making a bid to move up in the leadership of his party.

On the Democrat side, many would consider running for Senate if Domenici wasn't in the race. Very few would seriously consider running against Domenici. Those who might be interested include U.S. Rep. Tom Udall, Lt. Gov Diane Denish and, depending on how his presidential hopes go, Gov. Bill Richardson.

That means we're talking about the possibility that all three U.S. representatives, the governor and lieutenant governor could seek a job change in two years, depending on Domenici's future.

If Domenici stays in the race, he won't have a serious candidate. He's just too popular; My DD puts the Senator's approval-disapproval ratings at 61-30.

But if Domenici bows out before '08, we are in for a crowded race.

For Republicans, it would be Rep Steve Pearce vs Rep Heather Wilson. This could possibly hand New Mexico's First Congressional District (Wilson's district, where she has a narrow lead in votes for re-election) to Democrats. Pearce's district is probably safe Republican.

For Democrats, it could get tricky. If Richardson jumps into the Senate fray like Haussamen suggests, no one else would go up against him; Richardson won statewide re-election Tuesday with the largest margin in New Mexico gubernatorial history, 69-31. If Richardson is busy making a Presidential run, I can't see Denish running for Senate; she would be too busy running things as Lt. Governor. So that would leave, possibly, Udall and Chavez.

Interesting. But it's all moot if Domenici stays in.