What about Martin Heinrich? Everyone thinks he's hot and all.
Too much of a city slicker. You can't win statewide here unless you're Hispanic or look like you can milk a cow.
He certainly has a shot. He's run two great campaigns in a row with the odds stacked against him, but he'd have to be helped by a strong Obama showing in the state. That may not come.
Wouldn't he put NM-01 at risk if he ran for the Senate?
A D+5 District during a presidential year? That's not going to be a major concern. Also, the urban Albuquerque district will probably be made even more democratic during redistricting as a compromise to make life easier for Steve Pearce in NM-02.
Redistricting is a wild card in most states.
Yet a D+5 seat, but one which a Republican represented since its creation till 2009. And one that is known for bizarre results. An open seat, plus a strong Republican candidate even in a presidential year is more "risk" then having Heinrich run again. Notice I never said "win", I said "risk".