No matter which of New Mexico's sitting U.S. representatives wins the race to fill Sen. Pete Domenici's vacant seat this November, it will never quite be the same.

Domenici, R-N.M., has served continuously in the U.S. Senate since 1973, the longest tenure in the state's history, so it will be quite some time before any of the current contenders to replace him -- Republican Reps. Heather Wilson and Steve Pearce or Democratic Rep. Tom Udall -- amass anything like Domenici's seniority.

Domenici, a/k/a Pietro Vichi Domenici, was born 76 years ago today to Alda Vichi and Cherubino Domenici, both of whom were born in Sorbarro, Italy, and what a career this son of immigrants has enjoyed.

The fifth-most senior sitting senator and second-most senior Republican, Domenici cast his 13,000th vote in the U.S. Senate on Sept. 7, 2006 -- a landmark only seven other U.S. senators have achieved.

He announced on Oct. 4, 2007 that his sixth term would be his last and that he would not seek re-election this November because of failing health. 

Your Name:

Your Email Address:

Rate this article:
Poor Great

Comment:

BOLD

"QUOTE"

UNDERLINE