Michelle Lujan Grisham is Running for Governor

Congresswoman is the first candidate to throw her hat in the ring

By Steven Hsieh

We still haven't recovered from last month's election, but politics doesn't wait for the weary.

On Tuesday, Michelle Lujan Grisham, Albuquerque's favorite rollerblading congresswoman, declared her candidacy for New Mexico's next governor. The Democrat's announcement makes her the first official candidate in the 2018 election.

In an announcement video labeled "New Beginning," Lujan Grisham says that she is the answer to "the second highest unemployment rate in the country, struggling schools and high addiction rates." Check it out:

Lujan Grisham has served on Capitol Hill since 2013. Before that, she served as a Bernalillo County Commissioner for two years and as Secretary of Health in Bill Richardson's administration.

Sen. Tom Udall, once considered a favorite to replace Gov. Susana Martinez, recently announced that he would not throw his hat into the ring.

Still, it's shaping up to be a crowded field. Attorney General Hector Balderas, Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonzales and magazine publisher Alan Webber have all hinted at possible runs for governor. On the Republican side, US Rep. Steve Pearce and Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry are rumored candidates.

We know, we know. It's not even 2017 yet. But look at the bright side. We have a reason to re-surface this video of Lujan Grisham rolling away from a cop car:

Santa Fe Reporter

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