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SANTA FE — Albuquerque immigration attorney Michael Hendricks, who was the Republican Party of New Mexico’s attorney general nominee last year, is setting his sights on a legislative swing district for 2020.

Hendricks announced this week he plans to run next year for the House District 20 seat, which encompasses a swath of southeast Albuquerque and the foothills.

The seat is currently held by Rep. Abbas Akhil, D-Albuquerque, an energy consultant who ousted incumbent Republican Jim Dines in last year’s general election that saw Democrats pick up eight House seats statewide.

In an interview, Hendricks cited crime and education as top issues in his campaign. He also expressed concern over several bills passed this year by the Democratic-controlled Legislature, including the landmark Energy Transition Act that imposes future renewable energy mandates.

“With everything that happened in Santa Fe this last legislative session, I couldn’t sit on the sidelines,” he said.

Hendricks also distanced himself from President Donald Trump, saying, “I do like a lot of his policies, but I don’t like him.”

He came in second in a three-way race for attorney general last year, getting about 33.4% of the 691,000 or so votes cast in the race, which was ultimately won by incumbent Democrat Hector Balderas