Democrats were heartened to hear that Rep. Steve Pearce, a conservative New Mexico Republican, would run against more moderate Rep. Heather Wilson in the GOP primary. Now, though, Democrats could find themselves facing a primary as well.

While Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez has reportedly been hard at work condensing support for his bid, DSCC chairman Chuck Schumer said he is continuing to talk to possible candidates, according to the Albuquerque Tribune. Schumer would not say who he has talked with, though Lieutenant Gov. Diane Denish is one possibility. A Denish spokeswoman said more DC Democrats had urged her boss not to completely shut the door on a bid.

The DSCC is also said to be aware of a blog urging Rep. Tom Udall to change his mind and make a run. Schumer did not mention New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, though NBC Political Director Chuck Todd said recently that a Senate bid from Richardson is not out of the question. Richardson's camp has repeatedly shot down those rumors, however.

Schumer's comments elicited a strong response from Chavez's campaign. "While Martin Chavez has great respect for Senator Schumer, New Mexicans, not New Yorkers, get to decide who will be the next U.S. senator from New Mexico," Chavez manager Mark Fleisher told the Tribune.

Meanwhile, on the GOP side, Pearce kicks off his campaign tomorrow with the beginnings of a ten-stop tour around the state.

Update: The Albuquerque Journal breaks news this afternoon with a report that Udall's political staff are calling Democratic heavy hitters in New Mexico to inform them that the congressman is reconsidering his decision not to run for Senate. Udall has not reached a decision, but Schumer scores a victory for getting him to think seriously about the race again.

Journal scribe Michael Coleman also reports Udall got a call yesterday from Richardson, who told him unequivocally that he does not plan to run. The guaranteed absence of a primary against Richardson is likely just the enticement Udall needed to think again about entering the race.

We've written it before, but if Udall does jump in, 2008 gets two interesting side stories: First, all three of New Mexico's members of Congress will be seeking the seat, severely wounding the state's seniority in the House. Fortunately for New Mexicans, Sen. Jeff Bingaman has his own seniority to put to work on behalf of his state. The second story line: Rhree members of the Udall family will be running for the upper chamber, including Mark, in Colorado, Tom, in New Mexico, and Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith, a cousin to both Udalls.