Just two months after a hair-thin victory that she spent at least $3.3 million on, Rep. Heather Wilson (R) is back on the fundraising circuit.

Wilson has a $1,000-a-ticket fundraiser scheduled for Tuesday at the Capitol Hill Club. And, according to a political blog in the Land of Enchantment, the five-term Congresswoman also has a $1,000-a-plate event scheduled for later this week at an Albuquerque restaurant.

Wilson, a perennial Democratic target, defeated then-state Attorney General Patricia Madrid (D) by just more than 800 votes in November. Madrid spent at least $3.2 million on the race, and several Democratic interest groups spent millions more.

It remains to be seen whether Democrats will make another major push to oust Wilson in 2008, despite the Democratic lean of the 1st district.

Former Albuquerque City Councilor Eric Griego (D) told Roll Call last week that he is considering running for the seat, but is far more likely to do so if Wilson runs for Senate in 2008 — which would happen only if six-term Sen. Pete Domenici (R) decides to retire.

“I’ve watched that race long enough to see that it’s really tough unless it’s an open seat,” said Griego, who currently is the assistant secretary for economic development at the New Mexico Economic Development Department.

Griego said that the presidential prospects of his boss, Gov. Bill Richardson (D), also could figure in his decision.

Should Wilson vacate the House seat, a huge field of Democrats and Republicans would undoubtedly line up to replace her.
— Josh Kurtz