Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) announced he won’t seek reelection on Monday, opening up a seat in the Democratic-leaning state and thinning a bipartisan political dynasty that stretches back more than a century.
“The worst thing anyone in public office can do is believe the office belongs to them, rather than to the people they represent. That’s why I’m announcing today that I won’t be seeking re-election next year,” Udall said in a statement announcing his decision.
Udall served in the Senate for two terms, and before that was a House member going back to 1998. He spent his career focused on energy and conservation topics, critical issues for his home state, and was a leading voice pushing for renewable energy.
Udall’s seat will likely stay in Democratic hands, barring catastrophe. New Mexico has gone from being a swing state to safely Democratic in the last two decades. Potential Democratic candidates include Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), though he may stick around the House since he’s in leadership, as well as freshman Reps. Xochitl Torres-Small (D-NM) and Debra Haaland (D-NM).
Udall’s retirement will also open up a spot on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee.
Udall is part of a sprawling Mormon family dynasty occasionally called “The Kennedys of the West.” His cousin Mark Udall served one term in the Senate before losing to Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) in 2014. Their other cousin, Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR), was a senator from 1997 through 2008.
Udall’s father Stewart was a congressman and U.S. Interior Secretary during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, while his uncle Mo was a congressman and top presidential candidate in 1976. Udalls have held elected office every generation since Udall’s great-grandfather was elected to the New Mexico state legislature in 1898.
Congress won’t be left without Udall blood after 2020, however: Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) is a second cousin of Tom’s.
This story was updated at 12:15 p.m.
O/T but now there are 3
The father of one of the victims of the Sandy Hook massacre took his own life Monday morning at Edmond Town Hall, in Newtown, according to police.
I’m tempted to picture a White House intern frantically scribbling an index card for Trump, even as we speak.
But, of course, that would imply they actually give a damn.
Talking about his family without mentioning the patriarchs, his father Stewart and uncle (Mark’s father) Mo who ran for president against Carter?
I know, right? I had a vague recollection about Mo running when I was a teenager but was pretty sure he was part of a political family at the time, because that was contrasted with Carter, who wasn’t.
How’s our Bench in NM?