WASHINGTON _ Democratic Rep. Ben Ray Lujan plans to run for the Senate in New Mexico, and is set to officially announce his candidacy Monday, according to two sources familiar with the congressman's decision.
The seat is open after Democratic Sen. Tom Udall announced Monday he would not seek re-election.
Lujan, the assistant House Speaker and former chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, will be a formidable candidate. But he also isn't likely to have the field to himself.
State Attorney General Hector Balderas looks poised to enter the race on Thursday. Rep. Deb Haaland and Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver are mentioned as potential candidates as well.
