If Biden wins, Udall as interior secretary?

If a world with a President Joe Biden comes to be, several New Mexico politicos are being viewed as possible members of his administration.

One of the kicked-around scenarios: U.S. Secretary of the Interior Tom Udall. Bloomberg News and Politico are among the national news outlets that have published stories recently about the speculated appointment.

There are some historical reasons one would think the outgoing senator could be tapped if Biden wins. The department is based in the Stewart Lee Udall Department of the Interior Building, named after Udall’s father, a longtime Arizona congressman who was the secretary of interior from 1961 to 1969.

Sen. Tom Udall was asked about the prospect last month in a conference call with New Mexico reporters.

“I’ve always said that just because I decided to not run for reelection doesn’t mean I’m retiring,” he said. “I want to continue to serve New Mexicans in other ways.”

The elder Udall’s tenure as secretary is remembered for its conservation efforts and the expansion of the National Park system, according to Stewart Udall’s biography on the University of Arizona Library’s website.

Udall didn’t want to comment further on the prospective position, according to his spokesman, Ned Adriance.

And first things first — Biden has to win.

“Sen. Udall is energized about Vice President Biden’s vision for conservation — which includes Udall’s 30 by 30 plan — as well as Joe Biden’s strong commitment to our trust and treaty obligations to Native Americans,” Adriance said. “Sen. Udall is looking forward to helping a Biden-(Kamala) Harris administration support Indigenous people and tribal governments and advance the bold conservation vision that is needed to save nature and fight climate change.”

The “30 by 30” plan is a national goal to protect 30% of the country’s land and rivers by 2030.

NOT THE ONLY ONE: But Udall isn’t the only Western politician rumored to be lined up for the interior position.

Data for Progress, a progressive think tank, in July published a “Progressive Cabinet Project” report.

The list, which didn’t include Udall, did name Rep. Debra Haaland, D-N.M., as a possible candidate. The report called her one of the more progressive members of Congress for supporting the Green New Deal and Medicare for all.

“My priority right now is doing everything I can to ensure we elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. The next Secretary of Interior must be fully committed to protecting our public lands and combating climate change,” Haaland said in a statement to the Journal.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee was also on the progressive group’s list of finalists for the position.

NEW VOTERS: Immigrant activists and community organizers say a growing bloc of voters could have an impact on New Mexico political races, particularly in southern New Mexico.

Since 2014, an estimated 18,292 immigrants living in New Mexico completed their naturalization process and could now cast ballots, according to a report by the National Partnership for New Americans released this month.

There are now nearly 80,000 naturalized citizens living in New Mexico.

“I cannot say if they are more liberal than regular voters,” said Zulema Chavero, a community organizer for

Somos Acción. “But I could say that they are really involved … and care about issues that haven’t been addressed in the immigrant community.”

About 27,000 naturalized citizens live in Bernalillo County.

There are nearly 13,000 naturalized citizens in Doña Ana County, according to the report. There are also 8,640 living in rural Lea, Chaves and Otero counties combined, according to the report.

Recent polls show a tight race to represent southern New Mexico in the House of Representatives between incumbent Xochitl Torres Small, a Democrat, and Republican Yvette Herrell.

“They could make a difference if they come out to vote in Congressional District 2,” Chavero said. “In 2018, the margin of victory was not significant. So if these voters come out to vote, they can make a difference.”