National Republicans have successfully courted a potentially strong candidate to retain their hold on the seat of Rep. Heather Wilson (R-NM), who is running for the Senate next year: Benalillo County Sheriff Darren White, who is expected to announce his bid today.

The NRCC thinks that White, a popular local sheriff in a Democratic-leaning county, is their best bet to retain a district that both Al Gore and John Kerry carried by narrow margins.

On the Democratic side, Albuquerque city councilor Martin Heinrich is the early favorite for the nomination, but Wilson's departure could attract other candidates to what is shaping up to be one of the most hard-fought House races in the country next year.