It looks like Michael Cadigan will be the first candidate to formally launch a mayoral campaign this year, with an announcement scheduled tomorrow morning (Jan. 6).

Cadigan, a two-term city councilor from the West Side, is a Democrat. He's expected to run as a fiscal conservative who will oppose sprawl development.

Cadigan has had a huge impact on the council over the last seven years. He was the driving force for the smoking ban in restaurants, the "Planned Growth Strategy," the Paseo del Norte extension through the petroglyphs and some of the annual budget bills.

Former state Senate President Pro Tem Richard Romero has formed an exploratory committee. Incumbent Martin Chavez is seen as a strong candidate, too, should he decide to run again. Others expressing interest include councilors Ken Sanchez and Debbie O'Malley, County Commissioner Alan Armijo and the mayor's ex-wife, Margaret Aragon de Chavez. All are Democrats.

A few people have mentioned Sheriff Darren White, a Republican, as a possible candidate as well, but I haven't spoken with him about it.

Albuquerque elections are nonpartisan. The election is in October, but if no candidate gets at least 40 percent of the vote, the top two will compete in a runoff election in November.

Taxpayer-financed campaigns are available. Cadigan said he intends to participate in the system.

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) -- Gov. Bill Richardson's gold-plated resume had never been tarnished as he moved up the political ladder from congressman and diplomat to governor....

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- Gov. Bill Richardson has hired a prominent white-collar attorney to represent him while a federal grand jury investigates how a top political donor landed lucrative state contracts, The Associated Press has learned....

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Cabinet that President-elect Barack Obama picked on a fast track has an unexpected opening, with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, Obama's choice for commerce secretary, withdrawing under pressure of a federal investigation into how his political donors landed a lucrative transportation contract....

WASHINGTON — New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said Sunday he would drop his effort to become commerce secretary in the Obama administration, as a federal investigation into a state contract awarded to his political donors became a growing threat to his nomination.

Sources tell ABC News and The Politico that the governor was 'not forthcoming' to Obama vetters.

 Journal staff report 

Gov. Bill Richardson has withdrawn from his nomination as U.S. commerce secretary, citing concerns about the timing of a federal grand jury investigation involving his administration in New Mexico.

 President-elect Barack Obama said in a statement Sunday that he accepted Richardson's decision to withdraw.

Richardson, whose second term as governor extends to 2010, said he planned to remain "for now" in the governor's office in Santa Fe.  He also said he was confident that the grand jury investigation ultimately will find that his administration acted properly in connection with CDR Financial Products. The California firm received New Mexico financial service business and made political campaign contributions to the governor. At the same time, Richardson has not been identified as the target of any federal probe.

But Richardson said he was concerned the investigation would force delays in his confirmation hearings for commerce secretary by the U.S. Senate, and cited that as the reason for his decision to withdraw. 

Richardson's second, four-year term extends until 2010. Lt. Gov. Diane Denish had been preparing to succeed him in the governor's office if he was confirmed for the Obama cabinet post.

"It is with deep regret that I accept Governor Bill Richardson's decision to withdraw his name for nomination as the next secretary of commerce," Obama said in prepared statement emailed to the Journal on Sunday.

"Governor Richardson is an outstanding public servant and would have brought to the job of commerce secretary and our economic team great insights accumulated through an extraordinary career in federal and state office," Obama said. "It is a measure of his willingness to put the nation first that he has removed himself as a candidate for the Cabinet in order to avoid any delay in filling this important economic post at this critical time. Although we must move quickly to fill the void left by Governor Richardson's decision, I look forward to his future service to our country and in my administration."

Richardson, in a statement issued by the president-elect's office, said, "I have asked the President-elect not to move forward with my nomination at this time.I do so with great sorrow.  But a pending investigation of a company that has done business with New Mexico state government promises to extend for several weeks or, perhaps, even months.

"Let me say unequivocally that I and my administration have acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that fact," Richardson said in the statement. "But I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process.Given the gravity of the economic situation the nation is facing, I could not in good conscience ask the President-elect and his administration to delay for one day the important work that needs to be done.

"So, for now, I will remain in the job I love, Governor of New Mexico, and will continue to work every day, with Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish, to make a positive difference in the lives of New Mexicans," Richardson said.

"I believe she (Denish) will be a terrific governor in the future.I appreciate the confidence President-elect Obama has shown in me, and value our friendship and working partnership.  I told him that I am eager to serve in the future in any way he deems useful.  And like all Americans, I pray for his success and the success of our beloved country."

The slew of ads warning Americans of the coming switch to digital TV is a media onslaught reminiscent of a hard-fought political campaign — albeit without the mudslinging. But who's footing the bill for all these consumer alerts?

SANTA FE — Lawmakers and the governor must make politically difficult decisions on whether to cut spending or raise taxes — or a bit of both — as they consider how to solve New Mexico's budget problems in the coming legislative session.

LAS CRUCES — Doña Ana County Clerk Lynn Ellins said Friday he's still looking into absentee ballots that were never received by voters during the November general election.