Tom Udall won’t seek re-election in 2020

Sen. Tom Udall, New Mexico Democrat, on Monday announced that he won’t seek re-election to a third term in the U.S. Senate next year.

He said he’s confident he could have run a strong campaign in 2020.

“But the worst thing anyone in public office can do is believe the office belongs to them, rather than to the people they represent,” Mr. Udall, 70, said in a video announcing his decision.

Mr. Udall, a former congressman and New Mexico attorney general, says the next two years are now an “incredible opportunity” to get more done “to help reverse the damage done to our planet, end the scourge of war, and to stop this president’s assault on our democracy and our communities.”

He said leaving the job was “not an easy decision to make.”

“But that day is almost two years off,” he said. “And until then, I’m going to make the most out of each and every hour I have left as your senator. I’m absolutely committed to changing the course that this president has set for our country.”

Several political handicappers had rated the seat as “solid” or “safe” Democrat.

Mr. Udall, whose committee assignments include the Senate Appropriations and Foreign Relations Committees, hails from a family deeply ensconced in American politics.

He’s the son of former Interior Secretary Stewart Udall and the nephew of former longtime Arizona Rep. Morris “Mo” Udall.

He’s also the cousin of former U.S. Sen. Mark Udall, Colorado Democrat.