Heather Wilson at a Tea Party event in Santa Fe last year |
She was joined by her mentor U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, former Congressman and Interior Secretary Manuel Lujan, Albuquerque Mayor R.J. Berry and others.
Among the endorsements she unveiled today are seven current state senators and 13 current state representatives, plus several former legislators.
Wilson also has been endorsed by three of the five 2010 Republican gubernatorial candidates -- Allen Weh, Janice Arnold-Jones and Pete Domenici, Jr.
It's a show of strength obviously meant to discourage challengers. Speaking on the phone with the candidate a few minutes ago, she said she's pleased to have the support of such a wide spectrum of the state GOP.
So far no major opponent has emerged.
UPDATE: 5:35 pm: Wilson's 2010 primary opponent Steve Pearce just sent a response -- saying he's too busy to respond.
“Politics can wait. The business at hand—addressing devastating unemployment rates, obstacles to small business, and a looming debt crisis—cannot. Right now, I am working hard at the job that the people of New Mexico sent me to Congress to do. The filing deadline is still nine months away, and I have plenty of time to make decisions. I’ll reach out to my supporters, but now, for New Mexicans, the stakes are higher than personal ambition.”
Also, earlier this afternoon, I got an email from Gov. Martinez's spokesman saying the governor wouldn't be making a statement on Wilson's announcement.