Pearce Announces Congressional Candidacy

Updated to include audio from telephone interview.

Former U.S. Representative Steve Pearce, who lost his bid to replace Sen. Pete Domenici last fall, wants his 2nd Congressional District Seat back. Today he announced he'll run for the Republican Party nomination and try to unseat first-term Representative Harry Teague.

Pearce wasn't expected to make a final decision until after July 20th, but made the decision to campaign over the 4th of July Holiday.

Pearce told 770KKOB News Director Pat Allen, in this telephone interview, that he considered running for Governor, "but at the end of the day most of the issues I've worked on are national."



Last week political blogger Joe Monahan said despite Teague's vote for the Cap and Trade bill it will be a tough battle for Pearce to regain his seat.

Even if Teague's energy vote does hurt him some with voters in the SE portion of the district, there is still a major problem with the GOP Teague death wish. It's called Dona Ana County.

From the campaign - news release .


Hobbs, NM -- For the past half year, I have stood by and hoped for the best for our state and country. I had hoped Harry Teague would look out for the hard working people of New Mexico.

Sadly while I hoped for the best, Harry Teague embraced a reckless set of policies that directly jeopardize our economy and threatens future generations.

He went to Washington and quickly voted for massive amounts of wasteful spending, loading up on pork barrel projects and radically increasing the size of government.

Now Harry Teague chose to vote for the job-killing cap and trade bill. If this bill becomes law, it will devastate jobs in New Mexico and further cripple the American economy.


Harry Teague’s cap and trade bill will:

* Hit families with as much as $1500 a year in higher energy costs.
* Destroy jobs in New Mexico’s energy sector.
*Will cost New Mexico over $200 million in higher electricity bills, but lower costs in California and New York.

Harry Teague put his allegiance to the liberal leadership of Nancy Pelosi ahead of the working families of New Mexico.

I can not let this happen to the people of New Mexico. So today, I am signing paperwork to run for the Second Congressional District. This district needs a Congressman who will fight for jobs for New Mexico families. Harry Teague won’t. I will.