In a letter to supporters, Arnold-Jones talks about increasing transparency, says New Mexico ‘can be so much more’

State Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones, R-Albuquerque, said today that she is running for governor next year and plans a formal announcement sometime in August.

“I am running,” Arnold-Jones said today in an interview.

She made her candidacy official in a letter sent to supporters on Sunday.

“If you have not heard, I am running for Governor of the State of New Mexico,” Arnold-Jones wrote. “Why? Because New Mexico can be so much more! Because it is time for New Mexico to lead the Nation — in energy, transmission, technology, agriculture, connectivity, education and prosperity.”

“To engage that potential, we must inject sunlight into the way New Mexico governs and does business,” Arnold-Jones wrote. “Corruption costs in wasted resources, increased cost of doing business, increased taxes, ineffective or reduced government services, and repeated loss of opportunity.”

The field of actual and potential GOP gubernatorial candidates is crowded. Doña Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez has declared her candidacy. Former state GOP Chairman Allen Weh has formed an exploratory committee. Former U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson and public relations professional Doug Turner say they are seriously considering running, and Turner has hired staff.

Arnold-Jones said she’s talking a “very practical” view of the race, adding, “you run until you can’t run.”

“I am running, but I am cognizant that there may come a point, if you can’t raise money, there’s no point in running. If you can’t get traction in the polls, there’s no point,” Arnold-Jones said.

The lawmaker announced in mid-June that she was forming an exploratory committee, but her campaign’s progress has been hampered by a necessary surgery to repair torn muscles in her leg. Arnold-Jones said her formal announcement is “pending me getting on my feet.” She added that she expects to make the announcement sometime in the second half of August.

‘We can do this’

Arnold-Jones considered running for Congress last year but ultimately opted to seek re-election to her state House seat after she failed to raise as much money for a potential congressional run as she thought she needed to be successful.

Arnold-Jones’ stature increased when she led the charge earlier this year to bring webcasting to the state Legislature, which many said helped create a climate ripe for the approval of other ethics reforms. For her work on webcasting, the Santa Fe Reporter nicknamed Arnold-Jones “Lady Sunlight.”

Arnold-Jones has also been instrumental in the successful push for reform of the state’s scandal-plagued housing authority system.

In her Sunday letter, Arnold-Jones referenced her work on government transparency.

“Web casting my legislative committees was a start, but it is not enough,” she wrote. “Open government is a mind-set! We can do this AND we will make better decisions in full view of and with the input of all New Mexicans.”

On the Democratic side, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish is the only declared 2010 gubernatorial candidate, though Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez says he’s formed an exploratory committee.