Steve Pearce

New Mexico Republicans, who had a terrible election year in 2008, were especially stung by their loss of the southern 2nd Congressional District, a longtime Republican stronghold that was captured by Democrat Harry Teague .

Now district Republican activists are waiting to hear whether ex-Rep. Steve Pearce — the losing Republican nominee in the 2008 U.S. Senate race — will seek a political comeback by trying to reclaim his old 2nd District House seat.  

Pearce, who first won the 2nd District seat in 2002 and held it for six years, says they won’t have to wait much longer. He told CQ Politics in a phone interview Friday that he is likely to have an announcement by the end of this month about what, if any, 2010 political plans he has.