Former libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson is considering running for Senate in New Mexico if the current libertarian candidate drops out as expected.
New Mexico Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn is expected to quit the race Monday, said his son, state attorney general candidate Blair Dunn, according to the Associated Press. New Mexico Libertarian Party Chair Chris Luchini said he thought Dunn would quit and a new candidate — whom he would not name — would take Dunn’s place, reported the AP.
It would be a late start for Johnson, who would face Democratic incumbent Sen. Martin Heinrich, whose safe seat could be jeopardized by Johnson’s name recognition, reported the AP.
“While Gary Johnson has been off pursuing the national spotlight and his personal ambitions, Martin Heinrich has been on the front lines fighting for New Mexicans,” said New Mexico Democratic Party chair Marg Elliston, according to the AP.
Republican candidate Mick Rich is also running in the general election in November.
Johnson served as New Mexico’s Republican governor from 1995 to 2003. He was the Libertarian Party’s presidential nominee in both the 2012 and 2016 elections. Johnson received 9 percent of New Mexico’s votes in 2016, compared to his 3 percent nationally, reported the AP.
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