Lt. Gov. Diane Denish's news conference Wednesday at Eldorado Hotel lasted just 4 minutes and 19 seconds.

She didn't reveal anything unexpected, didn't announce any new plans for when she takes over the governorship from Bill Richardson next year. In a way, she didn't need to.

Her quick appearance was the start of a new chapter in New Mexico history, a span that will last longer then any one press conference. Much longer.

Denish, 59, could become the state's longest-serving consecutive-term governor, if the Democrat can win election to the post in 2010 and re-election in 2014.

If she thought about that as she spoke to reporters in front of the Christmas tree in the lobby of the downtown Santa Fe hotel, she didn't let on.

Instead, Denish gave a nod to Richardson's impending move to the U.S. Commerce Department, agreed to answer just a few short questions about her move up the state government ladder and headed back into a three-day conference of other lieutenant governors being held at the swanky hotel.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for the governor, it's a great opportunity for New Mexico, and it's a wonderful opportunity for the Obama administration to have him be part of their team."

"The governor I think is uniquely qualified as the economic diplomat," she said. "He's been a great job creator in New Mexico."

Denish said she spoke to Richardson on Monday and planned to meet with him early today.

She said she's not concentrating on the day she takes over, but rather the days leading up to that point.

"My first order of business is to ensure a smooth transition and work closely with the Governor's Office so that we're doing everything we can over the next few weeks so there's no interruption in good government."

When she assumes her new role — sometime early next year after Obama is sworn in and Richardson is confirmed by the U.S. Senate — Denish will know what to do.

She has run the executive branch on and off for the past two years while Richardson campaigned for president.

Richardson will stay on the job until at least Jan. 20, when he is scheduled to give the state of the state address in front of the Legislature on the opening day of the 2009 session.

He said in a statement Wednesday that he's still working on the upcoming 60-day session here, and the decision to take the new job was tough. "This is by no means an easy decision and brings with it a mix of emotions," he stated. "I am proud of what we have accomplished in New Mexico during the past six years and we're not done yet."

Richardson, who first won office here in 1982 when he was elected to represent Northern New Mexico in Congress, said he'll miss the state.

With Denish moving up a notch comes a competition for her current spot. She gets to pick her own successor as lieutenant governor for the next two years, subject to the confirmation of the state Senate.

Rep. Lucky Varela, D-Santa Fe, said Wednesday that he's interested in the post but hasn't talked to Denish about it yet. "My interest would be to serve out the remainder of the term and then open it up to anybody who wants to run for the primary," he said.

"I think I could offer some resolution to some of the issues we have in terms of accountability," said Varela, who in 2006 ran briefly for state treasurer.

Other names being floated are State Auditor Hector Balderas; Lawrence Rael, executive director of the Mid-Regional Council of Governments; and state Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque.

While new people arrive, others undoubtedly will be leaving.

A Richardson spokesman didn't return a call seeking comment on who might be heading to Washington with the governor.

Denish's six-year partnership with Richardson has been prickly at times, but she has remained an active advocate for administration policies.

At the same time, she has built up her own network of support that has fueled a fundraising effort netting more than $1.3 million for her gubernatorial campaign.

She will take over at a difficult time. State government is struggling to cope with the economic downturn, pondering cuts even as pressure mounts to do something about health care and shore up the school system.

Some lawmakers expect Denish to bring a different, more communicative style to the job, and perhaps a slightly different focus on issues.

"I hope — I think — that she will care about and pay more attention to women's issues. ... I know that she cares about women's reproductive health and pay equity," said Rep. Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, a veteran lawmaker who heads the House Health and Government Affairs Committee.

The relationship between Denish and Richardson got chillier after she was quoted in the Albuquerque Journal in December 2005 about the governor's "irritating and annoying" habit of poking, prodding and touching her in public. He described the behavior — which he does with many people — as joking and teasing.

The two had a public spat early this year over state police protection for Denish. Lawmakers had put money in the budget for her security but the Governor's Office nixed the use of state police. She hired occasional private security instead.

Denish also complained that Richardson was failing to notify her when he left the state.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Contact Kate Nash at 986-3036 or knash@sfnewmexican.com. Read her blog, Green Chile Chatter, at www.santafenewmexican.com.