I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
State Auditor Hector Balderas filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to run for U.S. Senate Wednesday, according to a tweet from Bloomberg goverment reporter Greg Giroux. Balderas will face U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich in the Democratic primary.
Balderas filed statements of candidacy and organization with the FEC.
Politico reports that a formal announcement will come next week, following the Easter holiday.
Balderas was first elected to be state auditor in 2006 and was re-elected in 2010. Before that, Balderas served in the New Mexico House representing Wagon Mound.
A report Wednesday said that Balderas would make his decision within a matter of days.
The race will be for the seat being vacated by current U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., who announced earlier this year that he would not run for a sixth term.
The seat has already drawn a top-tier Republican candidate in former U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson. Wilson previously ran for Senate in 2008, when she lost in the primary to Steve Pearce. Pearce, who like Wilson left his U.S. House seat to run for Senate, went on to lose to Tom Udall in the general election.
Wilson will face businessman Greg Sowards and columnist Bill English in the Republican primary. Pearce and Lt. Gov. John Sanchez are also named as potential Republican candidates for the position.
Other potential Democratic candidates for the Senate seat include USDA rural development state director and former Bingaman state director Terry Brunner and U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján. Activist Andres Valdes is also currently in the race.
Heinrich has received the backing of two major labor groups which could have a large impact in the Democratic primary.
