Richardson establishes presence

Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM) "is becoming quite fond" of NH. Richardson established a political committee in NH on 8/7. The title is "Richardson for Governor." The chair is Dave Contarino, who is Richardson's GOV campaign chair, and the treasurer is Concord, NH's Richard Bouley. Bouley said the committee "was set up" to give Richardson the ability to "give to candidate committees" in NH. Bouley said the committee was "not" a precursor to a presidential campaign. Bouley: "He has not announced he's running for president" (Terrell, Santa Fe New Mexican, 8/31). -The Hotline