Wilson to announce her run for Senate

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Republican sources confirm that former Congresswoman Heather Wilson will run for the U.S. Senate and she will make it official on Monday.

The first reports surfaced Thursday on Politico.com . On Friday, a Republican source told KRQE Wilson will make another run for Senate. That source also said she will officially announce her run for Sen. Jeff Bingaman’s seat by next week.

Bingaman announced last month he will not seek re-election after serving five terms.

Political analyst Gabriel Sanchez said the news came as no surprise.

“I think this is something that was somewhat expected,” Sanchez said.

Wilson has already served five terms in congress from New Mexico's First District giving her big-time name recognition. However, when she ran for the seat Sen. Pete Domenici vacated in 2008, she lost in the primary to Rep. Steve Pearce who was giving up the Second District seat

Pearce then lost to Democrat Tom Udall, whose was the congressman from the state's Third District.

“Her fate lies largely on what will happen to her in the primary,” Sanchez said.

So far Pearce has not ruled out another run for Senate. If he decides not to run Wilson could face Lt. Gov. John Sanchez in the primary.

“Folks here in the Roundhouse and across the state of New Mexico are saying consider this run for the U.S. Senate,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez said for now his main focus is on the legislative session and the state’s budget but is considering running for the Senate seat. He said he is leaving all options open for now.

Voters could have several options. On the Democratic ticket several names have already surfaced. A spokeswoman for State Auditor Hector Balderas said he's "seriously considering" a run for the seat. Rep. Martin Heinrich, Wilson's successor in the First District, has said he, too, is considering putting his hat in the ring.

Political analysts say if Heinrich does choose to run the fight for a seat in Washington would heat up.

“I think at this point he would be the frontrunner if he decided to run,” Sanchez said.

Democrat Andres Valdez, an Albuquerque political activist, has already announced he will run for Bingaman’s seat.