Udall calls for unity, has kind words for Republicans

U.S. Sen.-elect Tom Udall thanked Republican opponent Steve Pearce and retiring Sen. Pete Domenici for their service in a victory speech tonight in which he called for unity.

“Tonight is about change and tonight is about the future,” Udall said at the Democrats’ party in Albuquerque. “… The challenges we face are big, but we can resolve these together. There’s no doubt about it.”

Udall thanked his volunteers and staffers, saying he “had an incredible grassroots effort in this campaign. And he had kind words for Pearce, who will leave the House of Representatives at the end of the year, saying the two “were friends when this started.”

“We’re going to be friends when this finishes, and I enjoyed serving with him in the U.S. House of Representatives,” Udall said. “While we both differ on many issues, we both love New Mexico, and I very much appreciate him focusing on the issues rather than personal attacks (during the campaign.)”

Domenici, Udall said, “has fought for the very best of New Mexico.”

Pearce’s campaign said a statement would be forthcoming.