Candidates for NM offices file paperwork

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Gubernatorial hopefuls and candidates running for lieutenant governor, attorney general and a slew of other statewide offices lugged cardboard boxes and large envelopes full of nominating petitions to the secretary of state's office Tuesday for filing day.

Candidates had until the end of the day to sign in and present their petitions, but most of those vying for New Mexico's top position of governor had their paperwork in order hours before the deadline.

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, seeking the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, turned in a box of more than 10,000 signatures that her volunteers collected from around the state. She said there were 266 days until the general election and she was ready to travel New Mexico to hear from residents.

"It will be a long road but I'm ready for it and I'm ready to talk about creating those jobs we need, talk about our commitment to New Mexico's families and make sure that people know there's a new way in Santa Fe and I'm going to be part of it," Denish said.

The race for the Republican nomination for governor is more crowded.

The field includes:

• Former state GOP chairman Allen Weh
• Dona Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez
• Albuquerque attorney Pete Domenici Jr.
• State Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones of Albuquerque
• Albuquerque businessman Doug Turner

Weh, a retired Marine Corps Reserve colonel who served two tours in the Vietnam War, said he started the process more than a year ago.

"I was the only guy kicking the can down the road. I said I was bound to have company and I do," he said.

Domenici, the son of longtime U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, said he sees the crowded field as more of an advantage since it will provide an opportunity for voters to hear a range of ideas from Republicans for solving problems that have captured the public's attention - job creation, fiscal responsibility and government transparency.

Denish said she is hearing from New Mexicans that they want their elected leaders to do business differently in Santa Fe.

"They want to make sure we're open, transparent, responsive and responsible," she said.

Weh said a national wave of voter dissatisfaction has reached New Mexico. He pointed to the Albuquerque mayor's race in which Republican Richard Berry defeated Democrat Martin Chavez, who was seeking a third straight and unprecedented fourth overall term.

"One of the things I have learned over a year on the campaign trail, I have never met more angry people, more frustration on the part of just plain ordinary Americans, and it crosses party lines, it crosses ethnic lines, it crosses socio-economic lines and it crosses gender lines. It's real. It's alive," Weh said.

The best thing anyone seeking public office can do is tell the truth and follow through with what they promise voters, Weh said.

Candidates filing for lieutenant governor:

• Rep. Jose Campos, D-Santa Rosa
• Sen. Kent Cravens, R-Albuquerque
• Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque
• Sen. Linda Lopez, D-Albuquerque
• former Democratic state chairman Brian Colon
• Lawrence Rael, retired executive director of the Mid-Region Council of Government
• Republican John Sanchez
• Republican Brian Moore
• Republican J.R. Damron

In the 2nd Congressional District, Democrat Harry Teague will defend his seat while Republican Steve Pearce is looking to return to the office he held before Teague's election. Republican Cliff R. Pirtle also declared his candidacy.

Republicans Adam Charles Kokesh and Tom Mullins have filed to challenge incumbent Ben Ray Lujan in the 3rd Congressional District.

Incumbent Martin Heinrich, a Democrat, filed in the 1st Congressional District as did Republican Jon Barela, a businessman and past chairman of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce.

A list of the 2010 primary election candidates can be found at the secretary of state's Web site .