Hector Balderas announces Senate bid

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - State Auditor Hector Balderas announced Tuesday he is seeking the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Jeff Bingaman.

Balderas, a native of Wagon Mound, stressed accountability and fiscal responsibility in his announcement.

As auditor, I worked hard to crack down on corrupt officials who misuse public funds and abuse the public trust, and bringing people together to restore accountability and fiscal responsibility back to state and local government," he said in a statement released to the news media.

U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich, an Albuquerque Democrat, also has announced his candidacy.

On the Republican side, former Rep. Heather Wilson, Bill English of Alamogordo and Greg Sowards of Las Cruces running for the GOP nomination.

Numerous others have been reported to be considering their party's nomination although Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, northern New Mexico's Democratic congressman, has taken his name out of consideration.

Democratic Sen. Jeff Bingaman recently revealed he would not seek a sixth term in the Senate when his current term ends next year.

The primary election to select the party nominees is on June 5, 2012.