The first Journal mention of Madrid's Republican opponent in her 2002 race came in January 2002.

"We're seeing a trend towards candidates testing the waters and beginning their campaigns much earlier than in the past," said University of New Mexico political science professor F. Chris Garcia. He also said it's a reflection of what's happening nationally.

"The vast majority- I'm talking 90 percent of the public- is not attuned to political races ... until quite close to the election," Garcia said. "We have such a difference between the political activists and the masses."

He said one reason for the early political rush mirrors the reason stores have been starting their Christmas campaigns earlier: Both want your money.

"There's fundraising events already happening. Everyone is sending out letters," said Marta Kramer, executive director of the New Mexico Republican Party. "We've been in campaign mode, it seems, really all year."

Garcia said he doesn't expect the trend to stop in the world of politics, where candidates often feel they have to do something simply because the other guy is doing it.

"It's almost a frenzy," Garcia said. "If maybe a truce could be called, everybody would be happier. But no one is willing to do that."

The pre-Christmas campaign work continues- six months before party primaries and nearly a year before the general election.

Republican secretary of state hopeful Vickie Perea recently flew to four New Mexico cities- in a single day- to trumpet her candidacy.

Eric Sedillo Jeffries, an Albuquerque lawyer hoping to win the Democratic nomination for attorney general, made time last month to talk to a reporter while on his way to a campaign stop at the Happy Belly Deli in Truth or Consequences.

And at the New Mexico Democratic Party's recent fall meeting in Santa Fe, the hallway was awash in handshakes, grins, candy and bumper stickers as a long list of candidates jockeyed for support and nominating petition signatures needed to help secure a spot on the June primary ballot.

"We're in the heat of it," state land commissioner candidate Ray Powell said during a break between handshakes at the Nov. 19 meeting in Santa Fe Community College. "These are the people who really understand and live, eat, breathe politics. These are ... my family."

Here is a rundown of the landscape so far for next year's elections:

U.S. Senate
Former state Sen. Tom Benavides of Bernalillo County announced his candidacy for the Senate nomination in February.

Pfeffer and Roswell Wal-Mart assistant manager Steven Gavi have since joined the field of Republicans seeking the nomination to run against Bingaman.

The crowd could soon be larger: State Sen. Joe Carraro, R-Albuquerque, and Farmington urologist Dr. Allen McCulloch said in recent interviews they are considering joining the race.

U.S. House
Madrid might be the only Democrat to seek the party's nomination to run against Wilson in the Albuquerque-based 1st Congressional District.

In the 2nd Congressional District, Democrat Albert Kissling said he is exploring a run for his party's nomination to face incumbent Republican Rep. Steve Pearce.

Kissling lives in Las Cruces and is a retired Presbyterian minister.

For the 3rd Congressional District, Republican Ron Dolin said late last month he was considering a campaign for his party's nomination. If he were to run and win that nomination, he would face incumbent Democratic Rep. Tom Udall.

Dolin is a Los Alamos National Laboratory homeland security expert and serves on the advisory board of the University of New Mexico's Los Alamos branch.

Governor
At least two Republicans are so far hoping to snare their party's nomination to run for governor against Democratic incumbent Bill Richardson, who will seek a second term.

Republican J.R. Damron, a Santa Fe radiologist, announced his candidacy in October. George B. Bailey Jr. of Edgewood, a school teacher and Christian minister, is also campaigning.

Bailey said that if he's nominated, he'd be seen as David squaring off with Goliath.

"As a Christian minister, I take that seriously," Bailey said. "I like the odds."

Attorney General
The race for the state's top lawyer is one of the most crowded.

In addition to Jeffries, at least three other Democrats want the nomination: Geno Zamora, Richardson's former chief counsel; former state legislator Gary King of Moriarty; and 13th Judicial District Attorney Lemuel Martinez.

On the Republican side, New Mexico Army National Guard Maj. Jim Bibb and Bob Schwartz, Richardson's crime adviser, have said they are weighing bids for their party's nomination.

Another Democrat, state Rep. Al Park of Albuquerque, was considering a run for the AG's job and said recently he was also being courted for the state treasurer's position. But Park said in an interview Friday he will seek re-election to his House seat.

Treasurer
Rep. Luciano "Lucky" Varela, D-Santa Fe, is so far the lone Democratic candidate.

The man elected for the job in 2002, Robert Vigil, resigned in October and faces federal charges for an alleged kickback scheme involving state investments.

Kramer, executive director of the state Republican Party, said her party plans to field a strong candidate for the treasurer's office, which has long been Democratic turf. But she said she could not yet release the names of any prospects.

"We expect a quality candidate," she said. "Someone who is qualified, someone who is honest and has integrity."

Land Commissioner
LeRoy H. Garcia the San Miguel County Commission chairman, will be vying with Powell for the Democratic nomination for land commissioner.

The winner in the June primary will face Republican incumbent Land Commissioner Patrick Lyons

Secretary of State
Former Albuquerque City Councilor Perea last week announced her candidacy for the Republican nomination for secretary of state.

On the Democrat side, former secretary of state Shirley Hooper, current Bernalillo County Clerk Mary Herrera, Albuquerque resident Priscilla Martinez Valdez and Letitia Montoya of Santa Fe are among those seeking their party's nomination. Montoya has served two terms as secretary of the state Democratic Party.