Heather Wilson verses Jeff Bingaman? Well, it just might happen in 2006.
Every six years since 1982, New Mexicans' have voted to retain Democratic Senator Jeff Bingaman. And in 2006, Bingaman is up for reelection again.
Bingaman is a New Mexico institution, and has loyally served her residents in the Senate for over 22 years. His retirement is extremely unlikely.
If Bingaman runs for reelection, he will win with about 65 percent of the vote. But, if he retires, New Mexico Democrats seem to have a problem: Representative Heather Wilson (NM-1).
Presented with an open seat, Wilson would easily win the Republican primary. New Mexico does not have a deep Republican bench.
Wilson would not face a challenge from Governor Bill Richardson, who is mounting his own run for President in 2008 and would easily defeat Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish. Additionally, she would slaughter any one of a countless number of nominally popular Democrats elected to statewide offices.
The Democrats' dark horse is Representative Tom Udall (NM-3). Udall, popular in northern New Mexico, is a liberal Mormon who would lose statewide and is wise enough to not run.
So...Who do Democrats put up to bat against Heather?
Not a Judge. New Mexicans enjoy keeping their three branches of government separate. Not a mayor. Albuquerque's Democratic Mayor Martin Chavez is clearly not Senate material and Santa Fe's mayor Larry A. Delgado is too local and liberal. Even powerful Democratic names such as Maloof and King are on a sustained losing streak.
New Mexican Democrats' best bet is Kari Brandenburg. Brandenburg is the District Attorney for Bernalillo County, New Mexico's most populous county. She is a popular, accomplished politician who recently won reelection unopposed. Republicans did not even bother to field a candidate.
Brandenburg would give Heather a serious challenge. Then again, if Heather runs for Senate, District Attorney Brandenburg may wish to become Representative Brandenburg. And with an open seat in district one, Brandenburg should win in a landslide against almost any Republican.
Democrats: hope that Bingaman does not retire. Republicans: hope that Bingaman does, but add depth to your political bench before Senator Domenici retires in 2010.