Richardson silent on 2010 race

Denish says it's 'too early' for talk; Kilmer says rumors of his interest 'sort of true'

Kate Nash | The New Mexican

11/11/2008 - 11/12/08

Now that droves of Democrats are headed to D.C., including most likely Gov. Bill Richardson, it makes sense that the governor is thinking about who he'd like to see take his job in New Mexico, right?

Not so, according to spokesman Pahl Shipley.

"The governor is very supportive of the lieutenant governor's interest in the governorship, but feels it is too early to make a formal endorsement because he still has two years left in his term," Shipley said in a statement when asked whether Richardson is supporting actor Val Kilmer over Lt. Gov. Diane Denish.

Kilmer last week told the New York Post the rumor about him running for the state's top spot is "sort of true."

"It's been my home 25 years. I really love my state. Poor, hard-working, decent people — Native Americans, carpenters, artists, expats mixed in with hundreds of the world's smartest physicists at Los Alamos," he told the paper. "I've always thought of myself as functioning as a candidate for them."

While Kilmer said Richardson told him he "could be a great governor," Richardson's office said the governor doesn't recall any conversation about Kilmer's candidacy.

"People in the state are being supportive. Our current governor, Bill Richardson, who's hoping to be picked as secretary of state, and whom I've seen down in the dirt helping people you know could never help him in return, and whom I love, had a dinner for me and said not to dismiss the idea," Kilmer told the paper. "Said I could be a great governor."

Shipley said the dinner took place at the Governor's Mansion four years ago. That was after Kilmer, who owns a ranch in San Miguel County, was quoted making derogatory remarks about the state.

Shipley said Tuesday the governor "doesn't recall a discussion about Kilmer running for governor" at the dinner.

Denish, who long ago announced her intentions to seek the governorship in the race that's still two years away, agreed it's premature to be picking favorites for that contest.

"It's too early to be endorsing candidates for 2010," she said. "He's still the governor, and I really haven't given it any thought."

Although many in state government believe Richardson has all but packed his bags for a post in the Obama administration, Denish said she and Richardson are already working together on their agenda for the 2009 session, which starts in January.

"Obama said he'd be very qualified for many posts, but since no announcements have been made, I'm assuming we'll all be working together," she said.

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