Another Top-Tier Democrat Recruit Passes On Governor Bid As New Mexico AG Hector Balderas Rules Out Running

Another top-tier Democrat gubernatorial recruit has passed on running in 2018.  New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas announced today that he will not enter the race and becomes the latest failure by national Democrats to entice a top-tier gubernatorial prospect into running, just hours after Democrats were dealt a blow in Georgia after heavily-recruited former acting Attorney General Sally Yates announced she will not run for governor in 2018 either.

The New Mexico Political Report reports:

“New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas announced Tuesday that he will not run for governor next year, ending months of speculation.

Balderas, a Democrat, made the announcement in a statement to media where he highlighted work he has done in his first term as attorney general.

‘It has been an honor to serve New Mexico and I plan on running for re-election next year in order to continue to fight for our state,’ he said.”

The Albuquerque Journal reported just yesterday that had Balderas entered he “would likely be a top contender for the Democratic nomination, due in part to the fact he reported last month having more than $687,000 in his campaign account.” Balderas’ decision to play it safe by running for reelection is a discouraging sign for national Democrat recruitment.