Former Santa Fe County Commissioner Jack Sullivan will challenge state Sen. Phil Griego in the Democratic primary.

Sullivan was a two-term commissioner who served between 2001 and 2008. In his announcement statement, he said he's running because "Big corporations and lobbyists have taken over the Roundhouse, jeopardizing the public's trust by putting corporate interests above the interests of average, hard working New Mexicans."

Sullivan, in his announcement said, "The people of Senate District 39 deserve better. They deserve a leader who will work hard for the people of New Mexico to improve the economy, create jobs, protect our land and water, and ensure the public trust. I will work for job growth, not corporate growth."

In his announcement, Sullivan said he "led the effort to resolve the San Juan Chama water conflict, creating the Buckman Direct Diversion Board and constructing a joint County/City $216 million water project to protect declining groundwater supplies."

His announcement quotes Paul Campos, a fellow former commissioner, saying, "What is most important to me is that we elect leaders with integrity and ethics to state office. Jack has always been that leader, and I know he'll work hard for us in the state Senate."

Sullivan, 69, is a civil engineer who owns Sullivan Design Group in Santa Fe.

He isn't the only challenger running against Griego. Nicole Castellano announced earlier this year. She's owner of Capitol Grounds Cafe in Rancho Viejo, daughter of former state District Judge Joe Castellano, and wife of Jim Williamson, director of the Consumer Relations Division of the Public Regulation Commission.

Griego -- a former Santa Fe city councilor who has held the Senate seat since 1997 -- told The New Mexican during the recent legislative session that he will be running for re-election. He is chairman of the Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee.

The largely rural District 39 includes areas of Santa Fe, San Miguel, Torrence, Bernalillo, Valencia and Lincoln counties.