New Mexico Governor's Race

CQ Politics Race Rating: Likely Democratic

Incumbent — Bill Richardson (D); Term limited; cannot run again

Had all gone according to plan, incumbent Gov. Richardson would be President Obama’s Commerce secretary — and Lt. Gov. Diane Denish would have moved up to the state’s top job while preparing to run for a full term in 2010. But Richardson, despite denials of wrongdoing, withdrew his Cabinet nomination because of an investigation into whether his administration had a “pay to play” deal with a defense contractor.

Denish holds to her longstanding determination to run for governor in 2010 when Richardson reaches his two-term limit, and local observers say she is the front-runner for the Democratic nomination. But she is likely to face a more competitive primary than she would have if she had been able to run as the incumbent. State Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez announced on Facebook in May that he had formed an exploratory committee.

Republicans are looking for a rebound after a 2008 campaign year that was perhaps their worst ever in the state. New Mexico, which went narrowly for President Bush in 2004, went to Barack Obama by 15 points; Democrats also captured the Senate seat Republican Pete V. Domenici left open to retire, and took over the state’s two Republican House seats, giving the party control of all five seats in the state’s congressional delegation. So far the Republicans’ roster of 2010 candidates for governor includes Albuquerque financial adviser Greg Zanetti, who announced he is running; state Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones and former state GOP Chairman Allen Weh have confirmed they are considering the race. Ex-Rep. Steve Pearce, who lost the 2008 race for Domenici’s seat, says he’ll decide by the end of June whether he’ll run for governor, his old 2nd District House seat, or neither. Former 1st District Rep. Heather A. Wilson, who narrowly lost the 2008 Senate nomination to Pearce, is also rumored to be interested.

Race Information

• Incumbent: Bill Richardson, D
• First Elected: 2002 (2nd term)
• Incumbent Status: Term limited; cannot run again
• CQ Politics Race Rating: Likely Democratic

State Information

• U.S. Senate Delegation: 2 Democrats
• U.S. House Delegation: 3 Democrats

Senators

Jeff Bingaman, D

First Elected: 1982 (5th term)

Last Elected: 2006 (70.61%)

Tom Udall, D

First Elected: 2008 (1st term)

Last Elected: 2008 (61.33%)

State Offices

State House Control: Democratic

State Senate Control: Democratic