OURVIEW:Domenici closes Washington office

Sen. Pete Domenici has closed his office in Washington, D.C., signaling the end of his 36-year career in the U.S. Senate.

Domenici, R-N.M., announced his retirement after disclosing he had been diagnosed with a degenerative brain disease. He said last month a prominent doctor has questioned whether he suffers from the illness.

Domenici said he met with Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., and Sen.-elect Tom Udall, the Democrat who won the race for Domenici’s open seat, and offered “to help them where I can to advance the best interests of our state.”

Udall has some big shoes to fill and we can only wish him luck.

Domenici will be missed.