Gov. Bill Richardson’s spokesman Gilbert Gallegos sent out a statement regarding his boss’s decision to withdraw from consideration as U.S. commerce secretary.
In addition to statements saying he had done nothing wrong, a position that has been previously reported, Richardson said he “will remain in the job I love, Governor of New Mexico, and will continue to work every day, with Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish, to make a positive difference in the lives of New Mexicans. “
Denish’s office is planning to put out a statement sometime this afternoon, said Chris Cervini, who is spokesman for Denish’s transition team. Had Richardson departed for Washington, Denish would have become the state’s first woman governor.