Rep. Martin Heinrich (D), who in November flipped control of the Albuquerque-based 1st district seat that had been in Republican hands for 40 years, has scheduled his first major fundraiser of the new election cycle.

Heinrich will hold a high-dollar event on Jan. 25 at the home of former New Mexico first lady Clara Apodaca, who is currently the executive director of the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque.

“NM-1 is well known for it’s (sic) close elections and near even split between Republicans and Democrats, and Congressman Heinrich is virtually guaranteed to face tough opposition in 2010,” the invitation reads. “We must begin our work now.”

As of Nov. 24, Heinrich had $26,000 in his campaign account and was carrying $10,000 in debt. Several Republicans could be eyeing a challenge to the freshman next year, though none has come forward yet.

According to Joe Monahan, a political blogger in the Land of Enchantment, Heinrich has already opened a campaign office in Albuquerque with Matt Ross, his deputy finance director in 2008, as the early staff director.