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Republicans in New Mexico, banking on voter discontent, are expressing hope they'll reclaim the governor's mansion. Five Republicans are on Tuesday's ballot, each hoping to lead the party to a gubernatorial victory now that Gov. Bill Richardson, his popularity diminished and his administration tainted by a pay-to-play scandal, can't run again because of term limits.
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On the GOP ballot are state Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones, Albuquerque lawyer Pete Domenici Jr., son of the state's longtime former U.S. senator; district attorney Susana Martinez of Las Cruces, Albuquerque public relations firm owner Doug Turner and former state party chairman Allen Weh, an Albuquerque aviation company executive.
Lt. Gov. Diane Denish emerged as the only Democratic candidate for governor. U.S. News and World Reports included her among influential businesswomen who moved into the public sector and now are seeking high-powered public office.
Weh and Martinez were in a virtual dead heat heading into the primary, CQ Politics reported in mid-May, both running well-financed campaigns. Running third was Domenici.
A Rasmussen poll conducted in March indicated Denish would best any Republican candidate on Election Day.
Freshman Democratic incumbent Martin Heinrich is running unopposed in the Democratic primary for New Mexico's 1st Congressional District as is his Republican counterpart Joe Barela, the former New Mexico Republican party vice chairman.
Republican Steve Pearce hopes to have a chance to reclaim his seat in New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District, now held by Democratic freshman incumbent Harry Teague. Pearce gave up his seat in 2008 in an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate. Cliff Pirtle, a farmer and Tea Party activist, also filed to be on the Republican ballot, USElections.com reported.
The 3rd Congressional District's representative is Democrat Ben R. Lujan, who is asking voters to return him to Washington. Anti-Iraq War activist Adam Kokesh and businessman Tom Mullins are listed as active candidates on the Republican ballot.
The GOP establishment seems to be backing Mullins, who captured more than 80 percent of the delegate vote at the Republican pre-primary convention in March. The (Santa Fe) New Mexican reported earlier this month.
Mullins also has the edge in money. The most recent reports filed with the Federal Elections Commission indicated Mullins had $28,676 cash in hand as of March 31, compared with Kokesh's $12,003. Lujan, meanwhile, had $375,035.
