Wiviott Hanging Tough - Hopeful on Dem Senate Seat Pickups

Don Wiviott at Yearly Kos Blogger Convention 2007

I talked with Dem U.S. Senate candidate Don Wiviott last night and we discussed what a powerfully positive affect Domenici's retirement (and those of other Republicans) will have on the effort to end the Iraq occupation, deal responsibly with our economic problems and inequities, and redirect our energy towards an environmentally sustainable future. Wiviott said it was a great day in terms of improving our chances to move the Democratic agenda forward to bring much-needed change to benefit the country and the planet.

Wiviott had the courage to get into the race and organize a serious campaign when others in the state were afraid to stick their necks out. He spent July and August putting together a run, started raising money around Labor Day and is now hard at work finalizing his campaign team and materials. Now that Domenici is retiring, he seems even more determined to work hard to win a chance to take on the Republican candidate next Fall. He said unequivocably that he's in the Senate race to stay and will take on all comers in a Democratic primary. He's pledged to raise up to $2.1 million to spend in a primary if necessary, and he's already seeded his campaign with $400,000 of his own money. He's that passionate.

Meet Wiviott at DFA-DFNM Meetup Tonight
You can judge for yourself by attending tonight's DFA-DFNM Meetup at 7:00 PM at the Social Hall of the First Unitarian Church on the SW corner of Carlisle and Comanche in Albuquerque. Wiviott will speak and participate in a Q and A session. To join the group and/or RSVP for tonight's event click here.

Dem Senate Chances
I certainly share Don's enthusiasm about the Dems' chances to gain Senate seats next year, including here in New Mexico. Even though Domenici recently expressed some criticism of Bush's Iraq tactics, he's really still a true believer in everything Bush. With Domenici retiring, we have a real opportunity to replace a supporter of the Bush agenda with someone who will work to regain our positive momentum. The Dems now have an even better chance to win in the neighborhood of 4-6 Senate seats in the 2008 election -- or maybe even more.

Open Senate races are also shaping up in Viriginia (Warner retiring), Nebraska (Hegel retiring), Colorado (Allard retiring) and Idaho (Craig reportedly retiring). Plus a number of incumbent Republican Senators running for reelection in Dem trending states have tumbling approval numbers due to their support of the Bush agenda. These include Susan Collins (ME), Gordon Smith (OR), John Sununu (NH) and Norm Coleman (MN). Repubs also have to defend 10 more Senate seats than the Democrats do in '08. It could be a very good year for starting to turn the floundering ship of state around.

To read more posts about the U.S. Senate race in New Mexico, visit our archive. Photo at top by M.E. Broderick.