Keller to Seek Re-election to State Senate, Not Run for Congress

State Sen. Tim Keller, D-Albuquerque, told Capitol Reports earlier this month that he was thinking of making a run for U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich's seat because Heinrich is running for retiring Jeff Bingaman's U.S. Senate seat.


However, in a Facebook post this morning, Keller announced he wants to stay put.

Many thanks to all of you that have been encouraging me to run for Congress. I greatly appreciate your enthusiasm! Liz and I remain passionate about local public service, but instead of congress I will be running for re-election to the NM senate next year. Thank you again for your continued support.

(Liz is Keller's fiancée.)

So, on the Democratic side, that leaves state Sen. Eric Griego and state Rep. Moe Maestas as possible contenders. Both have announced they are considering such a run.

On the Republican side, former state Rep. Janice Arnold Jones is considering the CD1 race, while Albuquerque City Councilor Dan Lewis has already thrown his hat in the GOP primary.

Just yesterday I saw a  article in The Hill, a Washington, D.C. publication about the CD 1 race that opines Arnold-Jones would likely have the edge to get the Republican nomination.

The Hill also quotes an anonymous observer saying  Griego's announcement last month about forming an exploratory committee was "sloppy" because it was the day before Heinrich announced his Senate run.