SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO (AP) -- Lt. Gov. John Sanchez is running for the Republican nomination for a U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Jeff Bingaman.
Sanchez announced his candidacy on Tuesday in a video to supporters.
His entrance into the race sets up a potentially bruising primary race in 2012.
Former U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson announced a Senate bid in March. Las Cruces businessman Greg Sowards and Bill English of Alamogordo also are running.
Sanchez was elected lieutenant governor in November, running on a ticket with Susana Martinez. He was the GOP gubernatorial nominee in 2002, losing to Democrat Bill Richardson. He served one term in the state House of Representatives.
On the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich, State Auditor Hector Balderas and Albuquerque political activist Andres Valdez are running.
(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
