New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson (left) and Sen. Pete Domenici
Six-term GOP lion Pete Domenici announced his retirement last month, opening the door for a competitive race whose players are still uncertain. A lot hinges on the fortunes of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, who is currently running fourth in the race for the Democratic nomination for president. If his presidential campaign flags, he could easily switch gears and run for the Senate. If he does "It'll be a slam dunk, even better odds than Warner in Virginia," Cook said. If he doesn't, there aren't many other Democrats that could win the Southwestern state, no matter who inherits the Republican mantle from Domenici. So far Representative Heather Wilson, a Domenici protégé, is the only major GOP player to announce for the seat. Wilson has managed to eke out six House terms in a seat that is constantly embattled, winning in 2006 with just 50% of the vote. Wilson, like Domenici, also has been repeatedly attacked by Democrats for calling the former New Mexico U.S. Attorney David Iglesias about a corruption case. Iglesias, who later became one of eight U.S. Attorneys fired by the Bush administration, has said he felt pressured politically. Other potential GOP candidates include: Congressman Steve Pearce, oil executive Spiro Vassilopoulos and New Mexico Land commissioner Pat Lyons.
— Jay Newton-Small/Washington