It’s not clear to me what advantage the NM Republicans gain by permitting a fratricidal Senate primary, but it seems that chatter that Steve Pearce (NM-02) plans to run for Domenici’s seat against Wilson is true.  Pearce’s district is much more solidly Republican, so if he were to somehow win the nomination his House seat would be safe.  With Wilson’s district, it is not at all clear that a rookie candidate could fend off another strong Democratic challenge.  The district has been trending away from the Republicans, and in a strong Democratic year an open seat there would be a likely pick-up for the Dems. 

Pearce stands a poor chance of competing statewide, and I think he must know this.  Pearce pursuing the Senate nomination would be more of a statement about intra-party control, an attempt to rout the moderate Republicans who have called the shots lo these many decades.  My guess is that some local conservatives want to oust Wilson come what may in the autumn.  Some of us back home never liked the way she was foisted on the district by Domenici, and now that he is departing the scene the knives may come out to get rid of a moderate squish that many Republicans in the First District never wanted.  Of course, it’s perfectly fair to note that the NM GOP doesn’t really have many other viable candidates for the Senate race.

The idea that Schumer might encourage Diane Denish to run is remarkable.  Denish gives the impression of being a nice enough woman, and would probably make an average candidate.  In a head-to-head match-up with Wilson, it’s not at all obvious that Denish would come out ahead.  Udall is probably their best bet.  I had all but forgotten about our mayor, Marty Chavez, whose last attempt at gaining statewide glory ended in failure.  Chavez enjoys reasonably good popularity in Albuquerque, but he has not been able to translate that into statewide appeal.  As I have said before, Madrid would be a disastrous choice.  In a big Democratic year, it might not matter who the nominee is, but that’s what some of us thought about the House race last year and Madrid proved us wrong.   

Update: Apparently, Udall will not run.  That seat has already become a lot more competitive.