Santa Fe — Nella Domenici, daughter of former U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, said Wednesday that she will run for the Republican nomination to face Democratic incumbent Sen. Martin Heinrich for a third term.
Domenici, who registered with the Federal Election Commission to solicit funds, announced her candidacy, citing inflation, crime, border enforcement, and youth well-being.
Her campaign website highlighted her background in Albuquerque, her education at Georgetown University and Harvard Business School, and her ascension to Bridgewater Associates' chief financial officer.
Former Bernalillo County sheriff Manny Gonzales is another Republican candidate
The Senate GOP campaign called Domenici a “strong candidate to flip this seat.”
After Pete Domenici's 2017 death, New Mexico still remembers the six-term lawmaker who retired in 2008. Democrats control all statewide offices in New Mexico, whose voters haven't voted Republican for president since 2004.
Democrats seek to maintain their 51-49 Senate majority by defending 23 seats nationwide.
Adam Laxalt, another Pete Domenici son, was Nevada's attorney general before losing the 2018 governorship race.