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To dethrone Domenici will take name recognition, cash

By Kate Nash
Saturday, June 23, 2007

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SANTA FE — Many in the state Democratic Party whisper that U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici is vulnerable.

His age, his role in the firing of New Mexico's former U.S. attorney, David Iglesias, and the unpopular war in Iraq are deep dents in a Domenici shield that once seemed able to fend off anything, they say.

But so far, no big-name Democrat has come out and said he or she plans a run against the 75-year-old Domenici in 2008.

That leaves a field of lightly known candidates or might-be candidates who aren't well-known and might not be well funded: the editor of an alternative newspaper; a "green" developer; an affordable housing proponent; a Catholic church community leader; and a former U.S. attorney who couldn't knock off U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson.

And that, political observers say, is why Domenici right now is the favorite in 2008. The story of the Democrats' challenge might be more about who's out than who's in.

Longtime political analysts say that's no surprise - and no accident.

"Incumbent senators," said Albuquerque pollster Brian Sanderoff, "are hard to take on."

Those in the race so far would "have to spend the first five months and the first million on getting their name recognition out there," Sanderoff added.

"None of them yet has the Republican Party on a national level sweating any bullets or losing any sleep," he said.

For the Democrats to have a formidable challenger against the venerable Domenici, they must find a candidate with money, a moderate political bent and plenty of name recognition.

Most of those expressing interest in the hunt don't exactly fit that profile, though Don Wiviott of Santa Fe, a developer of energy-efficient buildings, said Thursday he's running - and will invest $400,000 of his savings in the contest.

Other possibilities include Allen Sanchez, executive director of the New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops, who said he's considering a try.

Their announcements come as state Democratic Party leaders continue to hound Domenici over his involvement in last year's firings of several U.S. attorneys, including New Mexico Republican David Iglesias.

Wiviott, 51, describes himself as progressive socially and conservative fiscally, and has hired two staffers and a communications firm. Married with two adult kids, Wiviott said he wants New Mexico to be more than a place for kids to grow up before looking for a job elsewhere.

"It would be great for all of our kids to prosper in New Mexico," he said.

Sanchez, 44, has spent the last four years working as the director of the bishops conference and says New Mexico needs a leadership change.

"I think Pete Domenici has done some good things in the past. But he's a senator of the past and we need a senator of the future," Sanchez said.

Sanchez, an anti-abortion, moderate Democrat, said he hopes to decide by next week whether he'll push ahead.

"It has to be a whole family project," he said. "My wife so far supports me on it, but we're still discerning the impact of it."

Sanchez, a native of Tomé, hasn't raised any money or formed an exploratory committee, he said. He has two young children.

Jim Hannan, the finance director of an affordable housing group, and Leland Lehrman, the editor of an alternative newspaper, also have announced they are running as Democrats against Domenici.

Former U.S. Attorney John Kelly also has said he's considering the contest. Sanderoff said Kelly probably has the most name ID of the names being mentioned.

State Democrats for weeks have blasted Domenici for his connection to the U.S. attorney firings. Earlier this week, they pointed out that the senator had dropped in approval ratings to 51 percent in recent polls by Survey USA.

But so far, party leaders have not talked some of their established stars - people like U.S. Rep Tom Udall of Santa Fe - into making the leap. Udall has not said whether he's interested.

Still, Chairman Brian Colón said the party is intent on winning a seat it lost to Domenici in 1974.

"I think we're going to focus on this race probably like we haven't in 30 years," he said. "I think it's time to say, `Thanks for your service, but it's time to move on.' "

Sanderoff, however, isn't convinced the furor over Iglesias' firing has doomed Domenici.

"I think it would take more than the U.S. attorney scandal to unseat Pete Domenici."

And, Sanderoff said, history is on Domenici's side. He hasn't faced a close race since 1978, when he defeated Attorney General Toney Anaya 53.4 percent to 46.6 percent.

Sanderoff does say there's one person on the Democrats' lineup who could give Domenici a run for his money.

"If (Gov. Bill) Richardson decided to run for the Senate, it would change the whole dynamic. It would be a whole new ballgame."

But Richardson, of course, has other plans. At least for now.

"The governor has been approached by a number of people about this," said Richardson spokesman Pahl Shipley. "However, he is committed to running for and winning the presidency, and has zero intention of seeking this Senate seat."