It might sound like a joke at first, an unknown English teacher deciding to run for the U.S. Senate seat held for more than 30 years by Pete Domenici, R-N.M. But it isn't.

Zach Boatman is jumping into a race that includes Albuquerque Mayor Martin Ch & aacute;vez and U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M. He said he's doing it because he believes the U.S. election process makes it possible for anyone to run for any position.

The 41-year-old Santa Fe High School teacher decided a couple of weeks ago to run for Domenici's seat because, he said, "this is the first time in like three decades that there's been this open door."

Boatman, who's teaching Advanced Placement English this year, said a recent conversation in one of his classes turned to politics and students' complaints about the election process. "(Students) said, 'There's nobody to vote for; they're all the same,' " Boatman said.

So he decided to get into the race and provide a perspective that doesn't get a lot of attention in Congress: a teacher's point of view. Boatman said he wants to present ideas about education and values that a lot of politicians talk about but often don't practice.

He realizes, though, that to be taken seriously as a candidate is an uphill battle. Boatman needs more than 16,000 signatures to get on the ballot as an independent.

Even his students weren't sure what to think when he told them. "I thought he was just kidding," said Louis Demella, a senior.

"I was in disbelief at first," said John Biddles, another student. After learning Boatman is serious, though, he and student Kevin Barela offered to help the teacher set up a Web site.

Along with adding an interesting wrinkle to a high-profile election, Boatman's decision also has provided fellow teachers with fodder for their classes.

Amanda Burkybile, who teaches government, said his candidacy illustrates to students something she is always telling them: If they're unhappy with things or want to bring issues to light, they need to get involved. "I think he's providing a good example of that in practice," she said.

"I think the most immediate lesson is that anybody can, in fact, run," said John Morrison, a history teacher at Santa Fe High.

Morrison, who worked for Bill Richardson when the governor was in Congress, admits Boatman is a long shot, especially if Richardson joins the race. But he also thinks Boatman's decision comes at the right time, with candidates able to use the Internet to spread their message and build support without having to spend a lot of money.

At a time when candidates are expected to raise millions of dollars to compete, Boatman knows that will be his biggest challenge, but he also thinks it will distinguish him from others who are running.

"I think somebody can start a campaign from the bottom up," he said. "I'm not a career politician; I'm not a lawyer or a doctor. I chose to be a teacher, and I've been doing it for 15 years."

Boatman said he'll go out into the community for a couple of days to start getting signatures for his petitions, and his Web site will be ready in a couple of weeks.

Contact John Sena at 986-3079 or jsena@sfnewmexican.com.