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FOR-ALL IN THE 2008 ELECTION - HIS SEAT IN THE SENATE WILL BE WIDE OPEN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THIRTY FIVE YEARS. STUART DYSON IS LIVE IN OUR NEWSROOM - SURVEYING THE FIELD OF BATTLE. THAT FUNNY SOUND YOU CAN HEAR TONIGHT ACROSS NEW MEXICO IS DEMOCRATS SALIVATING - HUNGRY FOR THE CHANCE TO SEIZE THE SENATE SEAT OCCUPIED BY THE REPUBLICAN DOMENICI SINCE HE WON IT WAY BACK IN 1972. out q ' then we;'re gonna know' DOMENICI'S RETIREMENT INSTANTLY CREATES A CROWDED AND CONFUSED FIELD OF BATTLE. ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE CONGRESSWOMAN HEATHER WILSON - DOMENICI'S LONGTIME protテδゥgテδゥ - MIGHT SEEM TO HAVE THE INSIDE TRACK. BUT CONGRESSMAN STEVE PEARCE - A STAUNCH CONSERVATIVE - WOULD RUN HARD AGAINST HER IN THE PRIMARY. BUT EXPERT OUTSIDERS AND INSIDERS PREDICT REPUBLICANS WILL HAVE A HARD TIME EITHER WAY. ' I think it's gonna be tough given the current political climate - but 2008 is a long time away - in terms of the election - but given the political climate - I think it's gonna be real tough for republicans to hold onto the seat.' ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE A SANTA FE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER IS THE ONLY CANDIDATE ANNOUNCED AND FILED - A POLITICAL UNKNOWN. CONGRESSMAN TOM UDALL HAS NEVER RULED OUT A RUN. LT GOVERNOR DIANE DENISH COULD BE A CONTENDER. AS COULD FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL PATRICIA MADRID. ABQ MAYOR MARTIN CHAVEZ RULED OUT RUNNING AGAINST DOMENICI - BUT NOW HE'S FREE TO JUMP IN. SO COULD THE BIG MAN. ' All eyes turn to Governor richardson - if he's seriously interested in this seat he has the ability to clear the field and really make a serious effort to recapture this seat for the democrats - once yoh hear what richardson says - one way or the other - then we're gonna know.' TWO WEEKS AGO RICHARDSON TOLD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS HE HAD NO INTEREST IN THE SENATE - HE'S RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT - BACK TO YOU. WHILE SOME HAD WONDERED WHETHER DOMENICI WOULD EVEN RUN FOR A SEVENTH TERM ... HE ANNOUNCED IN FEBRUARY THAT HE WOULD. HE'S SPENT THE LAST FEW MONTHS ACTIVELY FUNDRAISING FOR HIS RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN ...EVEN BRINGING IN PRESIDENT BUSH AT THE END OF AUGUST FOR A FUNDRAISER IN LOS RANCHOS. SENATOR PETE DOMENICI IS A LEGENDARY FIGURE IN NEW MEXICO POLITICS -- SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS 'SAINT PETE.' EVERY MAJOR POLITICIAN IN THE STATE -- REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ALIKE -- HAVE TOLD US DOMENICI IS JUST THAT -- A LEGEND. THEY ALL PRAISED HIS DEDICATION TO NEW MEXICO. ANTOINETTE ANTONIO TAKES A LOOK BACK AT THE SENATOR'S POLITICAL CAREER. YOU CAN CALL IT THE END OF AN ERA. SENATOR PETE DOMENICI IS THE LONGEST SERVING U-S SENATOR IN THE STATE'S HISTORY. THE 75-YEAR OLD WAS BORN AND RAISED IN ALBUQUERQUE -- THE SON OF ITALIAN IMMIGRANTS. DOMENICI GRADUATED FROM SAINT MARY'S HIGH SCHOOL AND THEN U-N-M. BEFORE ENTERING THE POLITICAL RING AS AN ALBUQUERQUE CITY COMMISSIONER IN 1966 -- DOMENICI PLAYED MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, WAS A MATH TEACHER, AND PRACTICED LAW. IN 1972 -- HE WAS THE FIRST NEW MEXICO REPUBLICAN IN DECADES TO BE ELECTED TO THE U-S SENATE. WITH SO MUCH TIME SERVED ON CAPITOL HILL, DOMENICI HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL SENATORS, CONSIDERED A HEAVYWEIGHT ON ENERGY AND THE FEDERAL BUDGET. WHEN THE SENATOR RETIRES NEXT YEAR -- HE'LL HAVE SERVED SIX FULL SIX YEAR TERMS IN THE SENATE. ANTOINETTE ANTONIO -- EWN4. A WEEK AGO WE REPORTED THAT DOMENICI'S POLL NUMBERS WERE PLUMMETING. OUR EXCLUSIVE SURVEY USA POLL SHOWED HIS APPROVAL RATINGS HAD DROPPED FROM 66-PERCENT TO 42- PERCENT IN A YEAR. SENATE STAFFERS SAY DOMENICI'S RETIREMENT HAS NOTHING TO WITH ANY POLLS. TWO POLITICAL ANALYSTS WE TALKED WITH CHALKED UP THOSE FALLING POLLING NUMBERS TO A COUPLE THINGS. FIRST -- THE CONTROVERSY OVER DOMENICI'S ALLEGED INVOLVEMENT IN THE FIRING OF NEW MEXICO'S U-S ATTORNEY -- DAVID IGLESIAS. OF COURSE, IGLESIAS SAYS HE FELT PRESSURED BY DOMENICI TO SPEED UP INDICTMENTS AGAINST DEMOCRATS IN THE METRO COURTHOUSE CONSTRUCTION SCANDAL BEFORE THE ELECTION LAST NOVEMBER. THEY ALSO SAY DOMENICI WAS HURT BY HIS SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT BUSH AND THE WAR IN IRAQ. OF COURSE, DOMENICI ANNOUNCED THIS YEAR HE WAS STARTING TO HAVE HIS DOUBTS ABOUT HOW THE WAR IS GOING -- BUT SINCE THEN, HE NEVER VOTED AGAINST THE WAR IN ANY WAY. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE IN POLITICS TO HAVE AN OPINION ABOUT WHAT THE SENATOR'S RETIREMENT MEANS TO NEW MEXICO. Kevin Gebro 'i think it's kind of sad, because i think for new mexico he's been kind of a big influence nationally for us, and i hate to see that happen, no matter what the story's about. Daniel Byrne 'well he's had a very long career. and i think it's time for something new DESPITE EVERYONE'S POLITICAL OPINIONS... ALMOST EVERYONE AGREED THE SENATOR HAS DONE A LOT FOR THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO. SENATOR DOMENICI IS EXPECTED TO HOLD A NEWS CONFERENCE TOMORROW AT SAINT MARY'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN ALBUQUERQUE AT 4 O'CLOCK ABOUT HIS DECISION. EYEWITNESS NEWS 4 WILL COVER THAT LIVE. DOMENICI WENT TO SCHOOL THERE -- AND HIS SISTER IS THE PRINCIPAL. AND WE'LL HAVE CONTINUING COVERAGE ON TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT TONIGHT AT TEN. NEW ALLEGATIONS TONIGHT IN THE CASE OF A U-N-M STUDENT ACCUSED OF RACISM TEARING DOWN A MEXICAN FLAG AND THEN RIPPING IT APART. NOW STUDENT ACTIVISTS SAY THE STUDENT MADE RACIALLY INSENSITIVE COMMENTS ON THE INTERNET. CRIS ORNELAS IS AT U-N-M WITH TODAY'S DEVELOPMENTS. ACTIVISTS HERE AT U-N-M HELD AN NEWS CONFERENCE THIS AFTERNOON ABOUT THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT COMMENTS THEY SAY PETER LYNCH POSTED ON THE INTERNET. EARLIER TODAY LYNCH MADE HIS FIRST APPEARANCE IN COURT FOR TEARING DOWN THE MEXICAN FLAG. 'you honor at this time we'll waive a formal reading of the complaint and enter a plea of not guilty' UNM STUDENT PETER LYNCH FACES A CHARGE OF CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY FOR THE FLAG RIPPING FLAP. LYNCH WOULDN'T TALK TO REPORTERS BUT HIS LAWYER SAYS HIS CLIENT IS NOT A RACIST. 'if theres any message about this case its only solely about the american flag'STUDENT ACTIVISTS AT UNM SAY THIS WHOLE MESS GOES FAR BEYOND A FLAG. THEY SAY LYNCH'S WORDS ON AN INTERNET BLOG ARE PROOF HE'S A RACIST. ' the worst things that were posted with in this blog were quote i say next time the bleeping wet backs march down our streets we load up on keith's semi and flag my garrison sized us flag then we drive through the bleepers' SOME PEOPLE SAY LYNCH DID THE RIGHT THING KEEPING A MEXICAN FLAG FROM FLYING WITHOUT A U-S FLAG ABOVE IT AND THEY'RE STILL STANDING BY HIM. HUNDREDS OF BIKERS WILL RALLY SUNDAY AS A FUNDRAISER FOR LYNCH'S LEGAL DEFENSE. PEOPLE AT THE HARLEY DEALERSHIP WHERE THE RIDE WILL START SAY AS LONG AS ITS ALL ABOUT THE FLAG AND NOT RACISM THEY ARE ON BOARD. 'he denies it so we as americans are thinking about due process that sort of thing we think if think that if he goes there thats where he separated from us' LYNCH WONT SAY ONE WAY OR THE OTHER IF HE MADE THOSE COMMENTS ON THE INTERNET. ALBUQUERQUE POLICE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR MORE POSSIBLE CHARGES AGAINST THE TEACHER ACCUSED OF VIDEOTAPING UP LITTLE GIRL'S SKIRTS IN CLASS. INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY FOUND VIDEOTAPES OF CHILDREN PLAYING IN PARKS IN ROBERT ASHLEY'S APARTMENT. RIGHT NOW THEY ARE WORKING WITH PARKS AND REC.... AND CITY HOUSING OFFICIALS.... TO SEE IF THEY CAN IDENTIFY THE PARKS. INVESTIGATORS SAY IF THE PARKS ARE IN BERNALILLO COUNTY, ASHLEY COULD SEE MORE CHARGES. RIGHT NOW, ASHLEY FACES ONE COUNT OF VIDEO VOYEURISM. INVESTIGATORS SAY TWO GROWN BROTHERS TURNED THEIR PARENTS'HOME INTO A POT FARM. POLICE SAY THEY PICKED UP 30 YEAR OLD CHARLIE SENA AND HIS 43 YEAR OLD BROTHER ALBERT AFTER FINDING SEVERAL POT PLANTS GROWING. BOTH MEN SAY THEY LIVE WITH THEIR PARENTS. STATE OFFICIALS ARE INVESTIGATING WHAT SPARKED A FIRE AT THE STATE MENTAL HOSPITAL IN LAS VEGAS. 30 PATIENTS WERE EVACUATED THERE WAS MINIMAL SMOKE DAMAGE AND A BURNED PILLOW AND MATTRESS IN ONE ROOM OF THE PSYCHIATRIC UNIT. NO ONE WAS INJURED. IT APPEARS MAYOR CHAVEZ WON'T HAVE MANY FRIENDS ON THE NEW CITY COUNCIL. COUNCIL PRESIDENT DEBBIE O'MALLEY.... WHO DOESN'T SEE EYE TO EYE WITH THE MAYOR.. .BEAT HER MAYOR-ENDORSED OPPONENT. INCUMBENT BRAD WINTER-- WHO ALSO FIGHTS WITH THE MAYOR-- IS BACK ON BOARD. DON HARRIS SURVIVED THE RECALL ELECTION HE SAYS THE MAYOR WAS BEHIND. AND NEWLY APPOINTED REY GARDUNO ALREADY VOWED TO SIDE WITH THE COUNCIL DURING ANY DISAGREEMENT. BUT CITY COUNCILORS SAY THEY ARE NOT HERE TO STOMP ON THE MAYOR. ' He's a smart man and I think he does have ambitions and I believe he wants to get some things done too - so - we do - it's a two way street.'' There's much more agreement than disagreement and I expect a good working relationship with this council - there'll be times when there is disagreement - it'll be resolved professionally and with the best interests of Albuquerque in mind.' BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THE COUNCIL COULD HAVE AN ADVANTAGE. WITH SO MANY PLEDGING TO VOTE ON THE SAME SIDE.. .THEY COULD HAVE THE POWER TO OVERRIDE ANY MAYORAL VETOES. THE CITY AND RESIDENTS SPEND THE MORNING HOSING DOWN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AFTER VANDALS LEAVE THEIR MARK NEAR SAN MATEO AND CANDELARIA. VANDALS TAGGED EVERYTHING IN SIGHT ON LA VETA AND MADEIRA DRIVE... VEHICLES, TREES, WINDOWS - EVEN THE SIDEWALKS ROSELY VALDEZ WAS HAVING A HARD TIME TRYING TO GET THE PAINT OFF HER CAR. 'well I'm upset, I don't think the neighborhood deserves this''its sad that they can't find something better to do with their time' POLICE HAVE NOT YET MADE ANY ARRESTS BUT SAY THEY'RE FOLLOWING SOME LEADS. INVESTIGATORS THINK A SCHOOL RIVALRY WAS BEHIND THE VANDALISM AT WEST MESA HIGH. THE SCHOOL WAS COVERED IN GREEN PAINT AND PROFANITY... THE VANDALS ALSO PAINTED THE SCHOOL MASCOT AND PUT A PHALLIC SYMBOL ON ITS HEAD. SCHOOL OFFICIALS SAY THE GREEN COLOR IS THE BIG CLUE... MESA JUST PLAYED ALBUQUERQUE HIGH IN A FOOTBALL GAME FRIDAY ... AND IT JUST SO HAPPENS THEIR TEAM COLOR IS GREEN. INVESTIGATORS ARE LOOKING AT SECURITY VIDEO TO SEE IF THEY CAN IDENTIFY ANY SUSPECTS. NEW COMPLAINTS TONIGHT AGAINST THE ALBUQUERQUE COMPANY RAIDED BY THE F-B-I EARLIER THIS YEAR. SEE WHAT CUSTOMERS SAY HAPPENED TO THEM... AND WHAT THE OWNER HAS TO SAY WHEN WE CONFRONT HIM. THAT'S ALL COMING UP TONIGHT AT TEN IN AN EYEWITNESS NEWS 4 INVESTIGATION. BUT FIRST AT SIX ... BUT FIRST AT SIX ... WE CHECK OUT WHY SO MANY PEOPLE IN ALBUQUERQUE ARE DEMANDING THE CITY'S NEW HIGH SCHOOL TO CHANGE ITS NAME. THE STATE HOPES NEW SIGNS ALONG I- 25 IN SANTA FE COUNTY WILL STOP WRONG-WAY DRIVERS. THE 'DO NOT ENTER' SIGNS ARE NOW 'ANGLED' AT DRIVERS CAN SEE THEM SOONER. INVESTIGATOR WRONG WAY AND CRASHED LAST WEEKEND .. SENDING A WOMAN TO THE THE STATE HOPES NEW SIGNS ALONG I- 25 IN SANTA FE COUNTY WILL STOP WRONG-WAY