The nomination to succeed Rep. Tom Udall is not the only prize that ambitious New Mexico Democrats are competing for this primary season — the nomination to contest the Republican-tilting open seat of Rep. Steve Pearce is drawing plenty of Democratic names. Here’s the Dem field so far:
Bill McCamley, a Doña Ana County Commissioner who’s been running for most of the year.
Al Kissling, a retired Presbyterian minister and the ’06 nominee.
Harry Teague, a former Lea County Commissioner and oilman, known as a conservative Democrat. He raked in $175,000 at his first fundraiser and also has the capability (and willingness) to self-fund.
Joseph Cervantes, a state Representative, who announced his candidacy this evening. Cervantes may have the advantage of being the only Hispanic name on the ballot in the primary.
Frank McKinnon, a businessman from Roswell.
I don’t know any of these candidates well enough to ascertain “electability”, but a few look like credible options.
No doubt about it: at a PVI of R+5.7, this is a pretty red district. But the cash-strapped NRCC is stressed about the possibility of needing to mount a defense here. Perhaps one of these Democrats will confirm the GOP’s worst fears.
One wrinkle, though, as mentioned in the diaries by fbihop:
What makes this so interesting is not every candidate will get their names on the ballot. In fact, at most, four candidates from each party will get their names on the ballot, thanks to a new law enacted by the state legislature this past session. To get his/her name on a ballot, each candidate must garner the support of 20 percent of convention goers.
Anyone from Southern New Mexico who can give us some in depth on these guys? Who has moderate views? progressive views? conservative views? etc.
I just wrote a longer post on the subject over at my blog. It may affect NM-03 (PVI of D+5.5) even more than NM-02.
How’s this for a horror scenario (from Santa Fe New Mexican poltical reporter Steve Terrell) in the heavily Democratic Third Congressional District?:
There is an alternative to getting on the ballot if the candidate doesn’t get the 20% support, which is getting signatures. I don’t recall the exact number, but I remember thinking it was reasonable when I saw it.
i’ve organized for a lot of conventions and even when there are 7 or 8 candidates running for an endorsement, there are usually two or three serious candidates who should clear 25% easily on the first ballot. are there multiple ballots?
cervantes looks like a very attractive candidate from afar.
That McCamley is the most “progressive”, Teague the most conservative, and Cervantes somewhere in between. But that is mostly conjecture. NM SSPers, speak out!