DailyKos.com is quoting a Roll Call story (subscription required) that says Gov. Bill Richardson will be endorsing Democrats Harry Teague and Ben Ray Lujan some time this week.

"The endorsements could prove critical in the final days," the article says.

Last week the Independent reported Richardson said he would endorse in the 3rd Congressional District but did not say who. He also said he was considering endorsing in other races.

"I’m going to most likely make an endorsement in the next week," Richardson told the Independent last week. "I’m going to look at all the candidates … cause this is my old congressional seat. I want somebody like me. I want somebody that can win."

Ben Ray Lujan is the son of Ben Lujan, the powerful Speaker of the House. The older Lujan is considered by many to be Richardson’s biggest and most valuable political allies in the legislature.

The Lujan and Teague campaigns declined to comment on the story Tuesday and referred a reporter to the governor’s office, where officials were equally mum on the subject.

 

Teague already received the endorsement of Lt. Gov. Diane Denish in February.

The following is from today’s Roll Call article

Gov. Bill Richardson (D) is expected to endorse former Lea County Commissioner Harry Teague over Doña Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley in the 2nd district Democratic primary, and state Public Regulation Commissioner Ben Lujan over wealthy Santa Fe homebuilder Don Wiviott in the 3rd district. Those endorsements could prove critical in the final days.

Despite his unsuccessful White House bid earlier this year, Richardson remains popular at home. He was due to endorse Teague and Lujan "any day," according to sources at press time on Friday.

Lujan is the son of state Speaker Ben Lujan (D), and the support he garners from the Hispanic Democratic machine in the 3rd district could be too much for the more than $1.3 million in personal funds that Wiviott had spent on the race as of a week ago.