Carraro to run against White
GOP primary battle for Wilson's seat set

By Eric Maddy
The SCORE

State Sen. Joe Carraro, who represents part of Rio Rancho, will seek the Republican nomination for New Mexico’s First Congressional District.

Carraro will announce his intentions to challenge Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White on Thursday at 4 p.m. at the VFW Post 401, 2011 Girard Blvd. S.E. in Albuquerque. Both are seeking to replace Heather Wilson, who will battle Rep. Steve Pearce for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Pete Domenici, who is retiring after 36 years and six terms.

Carraro was first elected as to the New Mexico Senate in 1984, when he district  consisted of the entire West Side of Albuquerque from Bridge Boulevard at the south to the Sandoval County line to the north, and from river to river, east to west. Today, Carraro's district has expanded to include parts of Rio Rancho.

He was defeated for the Republican nomination for Senate in 2004 by Farmington physician and political newcomer Allen McCulloch, who went on to lose the general election Democratic incumbent Jeff Bingaman.

Carraro serves on the Senate Finance Committee during the Legislative session and on the Legislative Finance Committee that has the responsibility of creating a state budget. He is the only Republican to be selected as chairman of a committee in the Democratic-controlled Senate (the Investment Funds Oversight Committee), and also serves on the Indian Affairs, Land Grant and Ethics committees.

Joe Monahan, the state's preeminent political blogger, reported Monday that Domenici will play host to a "meet and greet" for White in Washingon, D.C., on Dec. 5. But Carraro downplayed the significance of the gathering, saying Domenici's office assured him the event was not an endorsement.

"Hopefully he is going to have one for me after I announce," Carraro said.

Since Carraro has not publicly stated he would give up his state senate seat to make the U.S. House race, others who might be looking to change jobs are hesitant to make any announcements.

State Rep. Tom Anderson, who has expressed interest in Carraro’s seat should it become vacant, said he was unable to announce his future plan despite Carraro's congressional announcement.

"I'm sorry I can't give you anything. I just don't know," Anderson said. "“I don’t have an answer. I don’t know where it puts me."

Anderson said one thng is certain: "I'll never run against Joe."

Anderson said he would collect nominating signatures for both positions. "I will get prepared to go either way (for the House or Senate.)," he said. "That’s all legal."

Anderson, who was eleced to the state house in 2002, said he hopes to make a final decision sometime in February. Candidates have until March 16 to formally declare their intentions.

Anderson said he was not afraid to lose the seniority he has built in the House to start over I the Senate. “Seniority in the minority is like the highest ‘D’ in class,” he said.

David Pyne, who may run for either seat depending on what Carraro and Anderson do, said Monday he was not prepared to announce his future political plans until he consulted with Carraro and Anderson. Pyne is the vice president of the Mountain West Region of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies.

Click here to go Carraro's web site.