NM-Sen: Hannan Officially Withdraws from Race, Endorses Udall

Hannan (R) shaking hands at Dem Party Meeting in Las Cruces

I think we all owe a debt of gratitude to Jim Hannan, who used his Senate candidacy to call attention to the poor voting records of NM's Repub Congressional members. Jim ran so many ads effectively demonstrating that Sen. Pete Domenici's clout was all about supporting the Bush agenda and voting against the interests of ordinary New Mexicans in recent years. He ran some excellent ones about Heather Wilson too, when she entered the race (see below for an example). Thanks, Jim. You stepped up to the plate when nobody else was brave enough to do so -- a class act all the way.

From Jim Hannan for U.S. Senate: This morning I formally bring to an end my candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat in New Mexico. I also enthusiastically endorse Congressman Tom Udall as our next U.S. Senator.

I entered the race on March 1st. I decided to run for two reasons.   

First, I wanted to publicize the voting record of Pete Domenici. It's my opinion that Pete Domenici has not received proper scrutiny from the New Mexico media. While he has been effective in securing federal funds for our state, he has also voted consistently against the interests of middle class and working American families.   

Second, I wanted to layout a sensible, progressive agenda for change.  My platform focused on four critical areas that we need to address:

• Protect Social Security
• End the War in Iraq
• Slow global warming
• Provide health care for all

An ad Jim ran after Wilson entered the Senate race

Over the last nine months, I have run the only outreach political campaign in the state. I ran 27 different newspaper ads, in the largest newspapers in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Las Cruces. My campaign had a far reaching influence.  By the time Pete Domenici decided to retire, his approval rating had dropped to 41%. 

With the announcement today by Tom Udall that he is entering the campaign, I am withdrawing and endorsing Tom Udall.  Tom Udall has proven to be a strong fighter for the issues that matter most to working people. He will join US Senator Jeff Bingaman in providing New Mexico the type of representation that we need.