Domenici to endorse Pearce

Sen. Pete Domenici (R) is set to endorse Rep. Steve Pearce’s (R) candidacy for his seat more than three months after Domenici endorsed Rep. Heather Wilson (R) over Pearce in her unsuccessful primary bid.

{mosads}Domenici has served in the Senate for more than three and a half decades and is a formidable political force, but he was unable to push Wilson over the top with his last-minute endorsement.

Some Pearce backers were bitter because Domenici, despite his personal affection for his protégé Wilson, had said he would remain neutral in the primary.

Last fall, Domenici announced his retirement because of a progressive brain disease.

The official endorsement will occur Thursday at Pearce’s New Mexico Victory Headquarters in Albuquerque.

Pearce is currently the underdog in the general election against Democratic candidate Rep. Tom Udall, with Udall leading by double digits in most polling.