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SANTA FE — The only Democrat to say he wants to challenge U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson in 2008 has already hired a campaign manager, a finance director, a polling company and a media firm.

City Councilor Martin Heinrich is raising money for the primary election, although he has no Democratic opponents so far.

One potential candidate said Friday he's no longer considering running.

"It appeared no one was going to take up the challenge," said Terry Brunner, state director for U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, a Silver City Democrat. "But I'm now pleased to see that there are several people."

Former City Councilor Eric Griego, state Auditor Hector Balderas, former University of New Mexico President Louis Caldera, and Department of Health Secretary Michelle Lujan Grisham all have said they're considering a run but haven't made up their minds.

With Brunner opting out, that leaves more donors for Heinrich, who won't say how much he's raised yet.

Online records at www.actblue.com show he's netted about $5,600 via the Web site, a clearing house for contributions to Democratic candidates for all levels of political office.

Heinrich said the bulk of his cash comes from house parties and phone calls. He will file a Federal Election Commission report later this summer detailing how much he has raised.

Online support, however, is growing and is key to reaching people he probably otherwise wouldn't, he said.

And sites like actblue.com are an easy way to get donors to give over an extended amount of time, including on an automatic, monthly basis.

"For working folks, it's a much more manageable way to give," he said.

Heinrich said he has hired a handful of staffers but doesn't have immediate plans to hire anyone else, he said. His campaign manager is Philip Muller.

If there is a primary in June 2008, Heinrich said, he'll need between $300,000 and $400,000 to be competitive.

Wilson, an Albuquerque Republican, has raised more than $274,000 so far. First elected in 1998, she narrowly defeated state Attorney General Patricia Madrid in the 2006 general election.

No Republican challengers to Wilson have publicly expressed interest in the race.

Wilson has a campaign office in Albuquerque open, but no campaign team in place.