First Democrat Announces Designs on Domenici Seat

Democratic Albuquerque mayor Martin Chavez plans to run for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by six-term veteran Pete Domenici. Domenici announced last week that he would retire due to declining health. His term ends effective 2009.

Heather Wilson, U.S. Representative from the Albuquerque area, has also announced plans to run for the vacated seat. Wilson, a Republican, is regarded as a Domenici protegee.

Chavez is the first high-profile Democrat to announce his candidacy. An Albuquerque native in his third term as mayor, Chavez had been eyeing a bid for governor in 2010.

But Domenici's retirement has shaken things up in New Mexico. Chavez, 55, also served four years in the state Senate.

New Mexico is something of a swing state. Domenici won six elections in the state but the state's other senator, Jeff Bingaman, is a Democrat. Regardless of who the candidates turn out to be, the 2008 race for the open New Mexico senate seat will be close.