TOM UDALL JUMPS INTO NEW MEXICO SENATE RACE-- LOOKS LIKE A PICK UP FOR THE DEMOCRATS

With the political demise of New Mexico Republican Senator Pete "Sneaky Pete" Domenici-- caught up the Department of Justice firings scandal-- and his subsequent decision to retire, New Mexico's U.S. Senate seat was suddenly in play. The two Republican House members, Domenici protege Heather Wilson-- involved in the exact same Department of Justice scandal (in fact, the cause of it)-- and extreme right-wing loon Steve Pearce, immediately jumped into the race. A long cast of lackluster Democrats also started eyeing the race. Grassroots Democrats began a persistent effort to draft Tom Udall, by far New Mexico's best known-- a former two-term state attorney general and the son of beloved former Interior Secretary Stewart Udall-- and most popular congressman. He declined. Democrats persisted. Yesterday he agreed to run.

He will face Albuquerque's unpopular Mayor Martin Chavez in a June primary unless Chavez withdraws before then. Polling shows Udall will win the primary handily and go on to beat either tarnished Republican in November.

Tom Udall - 50%
Martin Chávez - 30%
Don Wiviott - 2%
Undecided - 17%

In match-ups against both Wilson and Pearce, Udall comes out on top. No other Democrat does.
Wilson (R) 45
Chavez (D) 42

Wilson (R) 38
Udall (D) 55

Pearce (R) 40
Chavez (D) 39

Pearce (R) 37
Udall (D) 54