Sanchez says he's formed guv exploratory committee

Posted 6/01/2009 10:42:00 AM

Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez may be moving closer to running for governor next year.

The Democrat from Belen posted a note on his Facebook page over the weekend stating that he “has formed an exploratory committee and is still contemplating a run for governor.”

That’s it. No details. So it actually raises more questions than it answers. If he’s serious, why no news release? No attempt to spread the word far and wide? Why just a note to his 137 supporters on Facebook?

We’ll have to see in the coming weeks if this goes anywhere.

Sanchez would be going up against Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, who has about $2 million on hand, in a Democratic primary next year. On the Republican side, the only declared candidate is Albuquerque financial adviser and Army National Guard brigadier general Greg Zanetti. Former state GOP chairman Allen Weh has formed an exploratory committee. Former U.S. Reps. Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson are among the Republicans actively considering the race, as is state Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones.