Heinrich to run for Senate

U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich announced Saturday that he will run for U.S. Senate. Heinrich shared the news in a release and indicated he will meet with the press at the National Hispanic Cultural Center this afternoon following the annual Cesar Chavez march.

Heinrich is the first top-tier Democrat to announce his candidacy for the seat that will be open after Sen. Jeff Bingaman announced he would not seek another term in office.

In his announcement video, embedded below, Heinrich says, “We’re going to have to get our finances in line, there’s no question about that, but we shouldn’t do it on the backs of teachers and firefighters. We shouldn’t do it by cutting education.”

Heinrich was the first Democrat to represent the 1st Congressional District when he was elected in 2008, and he retained the seat in 2010. He replaced Heather Wilson, who left the seat to run for Senate in 2008.

Wilson lost in the Republican primary to Steve Pearce in 2008.

Heinrich previously served on the Albuquerque city council before running for higher office.

The Associated Press reported his entrance into the race on Friday night.

In addition to Wilson, businessman Greg Sowards and columnist and activist Bill English are running for the Republican nomination.

The only other Democrat who has announced is political activist Andres Valdez.

The Decision from Martin Heinrich on Vimeo.