U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich announced early Friday that he would not be running for New Mexico governor, saying the “stakes are simply too high” for him to leave his post in Washington, D.C. Speculation had been growing since at least mid-December,

Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced in a statement on Friday that he’s opting against a run for New Mexico governor and plans to stay in the Senate, saying the upper chamber “is where I believe I can have the most impact.

"It’s clear to me that New Mexico needs a strong voice in Washington now more than ever — the stakes are simply too high," the senator said.