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U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman announced this afternoon at a news conference in
Albuquerque that he will retire from the Senate at the end of his fifth term
in 2013. ♦ Slideshow of Sen. Bingaman Through the Years
Journal reporter Sean Olson, who was at the news conference, said the New Mexico Democrat called his retirement a “personal decision.” Bingaman said there were many factors contributing to it.
“I’ve given this my best effort,” Bingaman said of his Senate career, “this just seems like the right time.”
Olson reported that Bingaman was coy about his plans after leaving office.
“I plan to find some things to do. I just don’t know what they are,” Bingaman said.
Olson said the senator predicted that a Democrat would take over his vacant seat, although he did not give any guesses who would run.
Bingaman said he will be moving back to Santa Fe after he retires.
You can listen to a recording of Bingaman’s announcement here.
Bingaman spokeswoman Jude McCartin said the senator informed Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of his decision last night. The senator’s retirement could spark a political free-for-all in New Mexico, with prominent – and not-so prominent – members of both parties vying for the soon-to-be-open seat.
Former Rep. Heather Wilson, a Republican, is among those who has been considering a run. Meanwhile, a “Run, Heather, run” Facebook fan page sprung up on Facebook shortly after news of Bingaman’s retirement broke.
I met yesterday with Rep. Steve Pearce, a Republican who lost a bid to replace former Sen. Pete Domenici in 2008, and he said he hasn’t ruled out any future runs for other offices. A source close to Peace told me today that the congressman will “take a serious look” at running for the Senate.
Former Gov. Gary Johnson, a Republican who is considering a run for president, unequivocally ruled out a Senate run when I spoke to him last week.
Here’s a statement Bingaman gave the media in Albuquerque today:
the people of New Mexico in the Senate is a great honor, and a great
responsibility which I have enjoyed for over 28 years.
been in public service for thirty-four years–four as New Mexico’s
Attorney General, and thirty in the United States Senate. The end of this Congress is the right time for me to step aside and allow someone else to serve.
done. That is true today, and it will be the case at the end of this
Congress. It will be true at the end of every future Congress as well.
The simple truth is, there is no ideal time
to step aside.
the work of my staff in New Mexico and Washington who have shared in the
trust given by the people of New Mexico. My family, and that fine
staff, have made my service possible. We will
continue to serve the people of New Mexico through the remainder of this
Congress which has just begun.
Anne, John and I moved to Washington, we never considered it a permanent
move. We have always considered New Mexico our home, and have
cherished the time we have been able to spend here
over the last three decades. At the end of this term, we will come home
to New Mexico to live, and to pursue other challenges.”
Also from Bingaman’s office:
“Jeff
Bingaman was first elected to public office in 1978 when he was elected
New Mexico Attorney General. After serving one term as AG, he
unseated incumbent Harrison Schmitt to become the junior U.S. Senator
from New Mexico in 1982.
During Bingaman’s five terms in the Senate, he has served on the following committees Energy and Natural Resources, Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Finance, Joint Economic, Armed Services
Bingaman
is currently Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Committee, and is the fifth most senior member of the Democratic caucus.
During
his twenty-seven year Senate career, Bingaman has been known for his
leadership creating bipartisan legislation on national energy policy,
education, health care policy, and public lands, to name a few.
Bingaman was one of 23 Senators to vote against the Iraq war in 2003.”
Sen. Tom Udall, a New Mexico Democrat, told the Journal today that
Bingaman’s retirement will be a “big loss to the state and and big loss
to the nation.” Udall called Bingaman a mentor who he will miss greatly.
“He has been an extraordinary legislator in almost any field I can
think of – health care, energy, climate change, education,” Udall said
in a telephone interview. “Thirty years is a long time. As he said in his announcement, there is no good time to leave. He’s going to leave at the top because I would say there isn’t a single Democrat who doesn’t want him to stay.
“This is a big blow – I don’t want to see him go. I’m really going to miss him.”
However, Udall said he’s confident New Mexico can pick up the slack in Washington after losing a senior senator who carried immense clout on the national stage.
“We have two years to work very hard, and I believe New Mexico is on a good path right now,” Udall said. “We’ll all keep working hard to make a differnce for New Mexico.”
Udall also said he’s hopeful that New Mexico Democrats can field a strong candidate.
“I think there is a good deep bench in New Mexico,” Udall said. “I hope we can unite the party and I’m going to work on doing that.”
Here’s a statement from former Sen. Pete Domenici, a Republican who served alongside Bingaman for nearly three decades:
“It was a privilege to serve with my friend Jeff
Bingaman in the Senate for almost three decades,” said Domenici, now a Senior Fellow at the Bipartisan Policy
Center. ”The people of New Mexico have never had a more dedicated and
thoughtful public servant. Senator Bingaman and I worked side by side
and across the aisle together on many major pieces of legislation. I am
especially grateful for his leadership on the 2005 and 2007 energy
bills, which were models of bipartisan cooperation and effective
legislating for the good of the country. I am confident that Senator
Bingaman will continue this tradition in his remaining time in the
Senate. I wish him and his family the very best.”
Here’s a statement from Rep. Ben Ray Lujan:
“For nearly 20 years in the United States Senate, Jeff
Bingaman has been a dedicated public servant and champion for the hard-working
men and women of New Mexico.
During his time of service, he has continually demonstrated an unwavering
dedication to improving the lives of all New Mexicans.
“As Chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee,
Senator Bingaman has shown a true passion for protecting our environment and
the natural beauty of the Land of Enchantment.
His commitment to moving our nation toward a clean energy economy has made him
a leading voice in the effort to create good jobs in New
Mexico and develop our renewable energy resources.
“I know I join with the people of New
Mexico in thanking Senator Bingaman for his service,
and I wish him the best on his future endeavors. I know that he will
continue to work on behalf of the best interests of all New Mexicans for the
rest of his term and beyond.”
Here’s a statement from Pearce:
“I would like to
congratulate Senator Bingaman on his planned retirement. For more than
three decades, he has worked tirelessly as a public servant. It has
been and continues to be a privilege to call Jeff my friend and
colleague. I look forward to working alongside him in his last two
years serving the people of New Mexico.”
Here’s a statement from former Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez (no word yet on whether he’ll consider a Senate run; Chavez briefly flirted with a Senate run in 2008 when Domenici retired, but changed his mind when Udall got into the race):
"Senator Bingaman's departure marks the end of an era, particularly in regard to our historic dominanceof the powerful Senate Energy Committee. He served New Mexico with tremendous honor and integrity.
Our next US Senator will have to work hard to protect our labs and promote clean technologies, mindful
of their importance to our state and national economy."
Here’s a statement from the National Republican Senatorial Committee:
National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Communications
Director Brian Walsh issued the following statement regarding reports
that U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) will not to seek reelection in
2012.
“It speaks volumes about the state of the two political parties that
as strong Republican candidates step forward in key races, Senate
Democrats in important battleground states are stepping aside. Like the
earlier retirements in North Dakota and Virginia, Senator Bingaman’s
decision immediately presents another strong pickup opportunity for
Senate Republicans. It also further limits the ability of national
Democrats to play offense when their resources will be spread out over
such an expansive defensive map.
“Whomever the Democrats now choose as their nominee, this election
will offer a clear contrast for voters in New Mexico between a fiscally
responsible Republican leader and a Democrat who believes we should stay
the course on more spending, more taxes, and more government.”
Here’s a statement from Maggie Hart Stebbins, chairwoman of the Bernalillo County Commission:
“This is a huge loss for New
Mexico. Senator Bingaman has been an even-handed,
non-partisan and thoughtful advocate for all New Mexicans. Its hard to imagine our federal delegation
without his leadership, intelligence and unwavering dedication to New
Mexico.”
Here’s a statement from New Mexico Auditor Hector Balderas:
“Senator Jeff Bingaman is truly one of the few public servants who exemplify
the best in America,” Balderas said. “Dedicated,
hard working and whip smart, he uses his gifts to move our state forward
through challenging times with an eye on what is truly best for our state in the long-term. From being a national leader on energy
policy, an advocate for our national labs, a responsible steward of our public
lands to a champion for those without access to health care, he strikes the
right balance of fiscal prudence, political pragmatism, and compassion. One of his greatest unspoken legacies
will be that he has served as role
model to young elected officials like myself on how to comport oneself in
public life–focus on making people’s lives better and do so with humility. I look forward to continuing to work
with Senator Bingaman the next two years in improving the quality of life for
all New Mexicans.”
Here’s a statement from Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. She is the ranking Republican on the Senate energy committee:
“I have very much enjoyed my time working with Chairman Bingaman on the
Energy and Natural Resources Committee,” Murkowski said. “He has been an
honest partner in developing legislation, and under his leadership
there’s been a real effort to broker bipartisan agreement on policies
that advance the nation’s energy security. I look forward to working
with him for the remainder of his time in the Senate. His leadership on
energy issues will be missed.”
Archive of Jeff Bingaman in the newspaper
The Washington Post, Politico.com, The Huffington Post and The New York Times report on Bingaman retiring.
Reprint story -- Email the reporter at mcoleman@abqjournal.com. Call the reporter at 202-525-5633
