"This is a race that I am confident I can, and will, win." - Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chãvez

On Monday, three-term mayor of New Mexico's largest city, Martin Chávez, announced that he will seek the Democratic nomination in the contest to succeed retiring senior senator Pete Domenici.

Domenici announced last week he will not run for re-election because of health concerns. "Today, I'm announcing my decision to run for U.S. Senate -- a race that will be tough, but which we must win to protect the future of our state," said Chávez. "The Congress and the next president need Democratic support in the U.S. Senate to ensure that we fight terrorism, change direction in Iraq, expand access to health care, and grow the economy in an environmentally-responsible manner."

Chávez, who has a national reputation for fighting for New Mexico's Air Force bases and national laboratories, declared himself a candidate for the U.S. Senate backed by scores of well-known political supporters.

Chávez's announcement took place at Eclipse Aviation, an example of a new, small business that he helped entice to New Mexico and which is creating high-wage jobs for the community. Eclipse is an example of the kind of entrepreneurial endeavor and government partnership that Chávez says he will work to promote as U.S. Senator.

Chávez made history as the first Albuquerque mayor elected to back-to-back terms. Prior to serving as mayor, Chávez served for five years in the state senate. As Co-Chairman of the United States Conference of Mayors Urban Water Council, Chávez has been recognized as a national leader in the area of environmental issues, climate change, and water conservation - major concerns New Mexico's future.

"I believe that government is capable of more than waging a misguided war and engaging in fiscal mismanagement, and I want to be a part of creating that change. This is a race that I am confident I can, and will, win," Chávez continued.

Domenici held the U.S. Senate seat since 1973. The first hurdle in the contest for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate will be the party's pre-primary nomination convention.

Gov. Bill Richardson indicated to Chávez that he has no intention of seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.

Last Thursday, U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, like Domenici a Republican, announced she will seek Domenici's vacated seat.

Wilson said she made the decision last Thursday after meeting with her family and telling her staff her decision.

Wilson, an Air Force Academy graduate and Rhodes Scholar, has represented the Albuquerque area's 1st Congressional District since winning a special election in 1998, when she was drafted to run for the congressional seat by Domenici after GOP incumbent Steve Schiff died of cancer.