Third Democrat seeking Pearce’s seat in Congress

There’s a growing field of Democrats itching to run for the seat held by U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District.

David Baake, a Las Cruces attorney, announced his campaign Thursday, joining two other Democrats who have already signaled their intent to run for the seat next year.

In announcing his candidacy, Baake, 28, cited both Pearce’s recent vote in favor of a Houseapproved health care overhaul bill and the incumbent’s opposition to the size of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument.

Pearce, who has represented the district for all but one term since 2003, would likely be the odds-on favorite in the race. But the Hobbs Republican is also weighing a run for governor in 2018 and has not yet decided whether to seek re-election.

The 2nd Congressional District encompasses all of southern New Mexico and stretches north into parts of Bernalillo County. A Republican has occupied the seat for 35 of the past 37 years.

The other two candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for the seat are Mad Hildebrandt of Socorro and Ronald Fitzherbert of Las Cruces.

PAY HIKE: The director of the New Mexico Legislature’s administrative arm is getting a hefty pay raise.

Raúl Burciaga, the director of the Legislative Council Service, will see his salary increase to more than $153,000 annually — up from roughly $130,000 per year — after topranking lawmakers approved the pay bump earlier this week.

The increase will bring Burciaga’s salary in line with that of another top year-round legislative employee, longtime Legislative Finance Committee Director David Abbey.

Other legislative staffers could also get pay increases in the coming months, according to the LCS.

The Legislative Council Service has a staff of 45 fulltime employees, according a state database. The agency helps lawmakers draft bills and provides legal advice, among other duties.

Meanwhile, the salary hikes come after several years of state budget cuts and revenue decreases. Most rank-and-file state workers have received just one pay raise in the past five years.