The New Mexico Wildlife Federation praised Sen. Tom Udall for his unwavering commitment to conservation following the senator’s announcement on Monday that he won’t see re-election next year.
“Every New Mexican has benefitted from Udall’s leadership on conservation and wildlife issues,” said Jesse Deubel, executive director of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation. “We appreciate all he has done for the state.”
Udall, 70, was elected to the Senate in 2008. Before that, he served as New Mexico attorney general and represented the state’s Third Congressional District.
As New Mexico’s senior senator, Udall was instrumental in pushing through a package of conservation bills that President Donald Trump signed into law this month. The package included permanent authorization for the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund in addition to expanding wilderness areas in New Mexico and around the nation.
In a statement Udall released on Monday, he said he’s confident he could have won a third term if he ran again next year.
“But the worst thing anyone in public office can do is believe the office belongs to them, rather than to the people they represent,” Udall stated. “That’s why I’m announcing today that I won’t be seeking re-election next year.”
Now that he doesn’t have to worry about campaigning, Udall said he expects to use his remaining two years in office to, “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.”
In January, Udall and Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., proposed legislation to safeguard wildlife habitat and protect private property in response to Trump’s push to build a wall along the Mexican border.
“The Trump administration’s thoughtless and reckless land-grab means homes could be confiscated, farms and livelihoods ruined, neighbors cut off from one another, tribal sovereignty upended, and endangered species and habitat lost forever if the administration has its way,” Udall said of the border wall proposal.
Jeremy Romero, coordinator of wildlife corridors for the New Mexico Wildlife Federation and National Wildlife Federation, thanked Udall on Monday for his service to people of the state.
“Senator Udall has been a true champion in protecting and preserving the land, water, wildlife and cultural values that make our state such an amazing place,” Romero said. “His passion has helped protect some of New Mexico’s most iconic landscapes and wildlife species.”
Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, called Udall’s conservation legacy among the greatest in the nation.
“From the moment he arrived in Congress twenty years ago, our friend Tom has been an unwavering champion of our wildlife heritage, outdoor recreation, public lands, clean water, and ensuring our natural resources endure for future generations,” O’Mara said.
“Through relentless pragmatism and bipartisanship, he led the historic reforms of the Toxic Substances Control Act, secured permanent conservation protections hundreds of thousands of acres including Rio Grande Del Norte, Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks, Valle Vidal, and Sabinoso Wilderness, and, most recently, helped permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund,” O’Mara said. “During his final two years in office, we look forward to building upon Senator Udall’s stellar record of accomplishment to protect our air, water, wilderness and wildlife for future generations.”
Udall is a past recipient of the NWF’s Conservation Achievement Award.
Udall, a Democrat, is part of a family political dynasty in the West. His father, Stewart Udall, was in Congress before serving as U.S. secretary of interior. Morris Udall, the senator’s uncle, also served in Congress. And Mark Udall, the senator’s cousin, served as U.S. senator from Colorado.
