By KRWG News
New Mexico – Democratic Congressman Martin Heinrich is entering the race for a U.S. Senate seat in New Mexico that's opening in 2012 because of the retirement of five-term Democrat Jeff Bingaman.
Heinrich announced his candidacy Saturday in a video emailed to supporters and posted on his Facebook page.
The video showed Heinrich at his Albuquerque home with his wife and two children. He described his candidacy as "the right thing to do and the best way to advocate for New Mexico."
The 39-year-old Heinrich won election to the Albuquerque-area 1st Congressional District in 2008, making him the first Democrat in 40 years to occupy the seat.
Former Republican Congresswoman Heather Wilson announced her Senate candidacy last month.
Several other Democrats and Republicans are considering the Senate race.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.