Wilson Thanks GOP Voters for 2nd Place Finish

Maybe this is managing expectations, or maybe  – as one local TV anchor suggested – this is "damage control."

But Rep. Heather Wilson, widely seen as the more moderate of two choices for the U.S. Senate seat at Saturday's Republican pre-primary convention in Albuquerque, sent this letter to supporters via email this morning after finishing in second place.

Wilson's people told me beforehand that she expected to finish second Saturday, reasoning that Rep. Steve Pearce would attract more of the die-hard conservatives who attend obscure party functions like pre-primary conventions. What was primarily at stake was ballot position in the actual June primary, and bragging rights.

Both would seem to belong to Pearce, who won. But Wilson does a little crowing of her own here:

HEATHER WILSON CALLS GOP CONVENTION A "GREAT SUCCESS"

Wilson campaign proves pundits, opponent, wrong 
Secures solid support among activists

ALBUQUERQUE Congresswoman Heather Wilson said that she was very pleased with the results from this weekend's GOP pre-primary nominating convention in New Mexico, where she secured far more support among Republican activists than had been anticipated.

"New Mexico Republicans understand that we must nominate a common-sense conservative who can win in November," said Wilson.  "That's why we proved the pundits and my opponent, wrong.  We picked up more support than anyone had predicted.  The momentum has shifted our way."

"We were definitely happy with the results," said Chris Collins, Campaign Manager for Heather Wilson for Senate.  "Our opponent clearly thought he was going to score a huge victory but it didn't turn out that way."

Collins was referring to a Steve Pearce press release sent out on February 26th under the headline "Pearce on the Verge of a Huge Victory" which stated, "The convention held on March 15th will shock the establishment in Washington, D.C. and open up new doors of support for Steve Pearce and his campaign for the U.S. Senate."

"The results show that Heather Wilson received strong support from rural New Mexico, both north and south, as well has her home county of Bernalillo," said Collins.   "We've built a strong, statewide organization made up of people who are working hard to elect a common-sense conservative to the United States Senate.  We believe the momentum from the convention will carry us through to the primary election in June."  

"I'm thankful for the time and effort that so many Republicans put in to making our convention process a success.  The day was more about our Party's volunteers, activists, ideas, and values, than it was about any one candidate.  I congratulate the Republicans who participated and I look forward working with them as we head toward a victory on June 3rd, "  said Wilson.