New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson Announces His Candidacy

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson tossed his hat into the crowded Democratic ring today, joining a field crammed with big names and big money, according to CNN.

The son of a Mexican mother and an American father, Richardson is the first person of Hispanic descent to run for a major party nomination. He hopes that will help in stand out in an election in which immigration reform will likely make a big impact.

A former energy secretary and United Nations ambassador during the Bill Clinton Administration, Richardson says his experience makes him uniquely qualified to lead the country as gas prices skyrocket and the war in Iraq escalate. "I am running for president because these times call for a leader with a proven track record, and a demonstrated ability to bring people together to tackle our problems at home and abroad," said Richardson.

Richardson was first elected the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982, where he served seven terms. He then served under President Bill Clinton. His announcement pits him against the wife of his former boss, but Richardson remains confident that he can win the nomination, but admits he is an underdog.

"There are rock stars in the race," Richardson acknowledged "There are two candidates with enormous resources, enormous name recognition." Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards are leading Richardson in both the polls and in find raising. But that shouldn't deter candidates like me. I am exactly where I want to be -- which is moving up."

In a field crowded with senators, Richardson points to his years as New Mexico governor as a plus. "The game plan is you stress that I am a governor, I am the only one with executive experience, CEO experience." Referring to his UN experience. "I have the most foreign policy background... I not only can talk about energy independence and creating jobs and making schools better and global climate change. I have actually done it as a governor, as a member of Congress, as an ambassador, that is what I will stress,""

During the first quarter of the year, Richardson raised $6.2million, compared with Clinton's $26 million and Obama's $25 million. John Edwards raised $14 million, well behind the two front runners, but almost double that of Richardson. He is fourth in the polls behind the three, but his numbers have recently began to rise. Still, Richardson acknowledges that breaking through to a first tier candidate will be difficult. "Our biggest hurdle is penetrating the media coverage that is mainly focused on the early poll leaders."

Source: "Richardson Touts Roots, Resume in Announcement" Sasha Johnson, CNN