New Mexico, whose Democratic Governor is Bill Richardson, will be an important congressional battleground. Pete Domenici, the veteran Republican Senator, is standing down. He has served as chairman of the Budget Committee; Energy and Natural Resources Committee; and as a senior member of the Appropriations Committee. The Senate Race is regarded as "Leaning Democratic".The Democratic candidate is Tom Udall http://www.tomudall.com/, a member of the famous Udall family [His father is Stewart Udall, Secretary of the Interior for Presidents Kennedy and Johnson; and a Congressman for Arizona in 1955-61. His uncle was "Mo" Udall who succeeded Stewart as Arizona 02's congressman and ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1976. His cousin, Mark ("Mo's" son) is the Congressman for Colorado's 2nd district and is running for the Colorado Senate seat, which I will be profiling soon] - for further family information see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Udall_family. Tom is currently the Congressman for New Mexico's 3rd District.
Seeking to keep the Senate seat in Republican hands is Steve Pearce, http://www.peopleforpearce.com/ , the Congressman for New Mexico's 2nd District and an assistant minority whip. He had served in the Air Force and flew missions during the Vietnam War.
NM 01
This district has long been a Democratic target. In 2006 Representative Heather Wilson held on to the seat by only 861 votes. She stood down in order to seek the Republican nomination for the Senate, which she lost in a primary to Steve Pearce. Her successor will be either Republican Darren White http://www.darrenwhiteforcongress.com/, the Bernalillo County Sheriff - or Democrat Martin Heinrich http://www.martinheinrich.com/, an Albuquerque city council member.
The first is New Mexico's only urban district. It is built around Albuquerque - an ancient town (founded in 1706), dominated by high-tech industry. Higher Education, scientific research, defence and government power the local economy.
NM 02
A second Open Seat in New Mexico opened up as a result of the race for the Republican Senate nomination. Steve Pearce, the winner of the primary over Heather Wilson, served in the House of Representatives since his election in 2002.
Fighting for this seat, which is the 8th largest district in the US, are Republican Ed Tinsley http://edtinsleyforcongress.com/, who built the Schlotzsky’s Sandwich Shops chain then was the Master franchisor of K-BOB’S Steakhouses in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas - and Democrat Harry Teague http://www.harryforcongress.com/, a self made businessman.
The 2nd District covers southern New Mexico. Its main cities are Las Cruces (74,267); Roswell (45,293); Alamogordo (35,582); Hobbs (28,657) and Carlsbad (25,625). Agriculture, mining, oil and gas production, and defence are the main industries.
The State's main newspapers can be accessed via http://www.50states.com/news/newmex.htm
