Only part of the way through her first term as the new governor of New Mexico, Susana Martinez says she is humbled by speculation that she could find herself on the short list of potential Republican vice-presidential candidates.
Martinez is a pro-life conservative and, as a Hispanic hailing from a perennial battleground state, the traits give her a combination that, despite her low name identification, place her on a list of potential running mates for political observers. Some have said she would make a great complement to a Rick Perry or Mitt Romney as a running mate who can appeal to a large group of western, Hispanic and women voters Republicans will need to defeat pro-abortion resident Barack Obama next year.
“It’s very humbling,” Martinez told the New York Times of such discussions.
Bill Kristol of the conservative Weekly Standard, is one of the pundits who has floated Martinez’ name.
“As Michael Warren pointed out earlier today, Rick Perry now seems to be the Republican frontrunner. Who might his running mate be?” he asked. “Obvious possibilities are Ryan or Rubio—or Mitch Daniels (a successful Midwestern governor who’s not part of the mess in D.C. but who could reassure some voters with his serious federal government experience). But this news story suggests someone else Perry would surely want to consider: New Mexico governor Susana Martinez.”
The story had Martinez getting a perfect score on her conceal carry permit, an issue popular to conservative and western voters.
But Martinez, during the 2010 election campaign, gave an interview with New Mexico In Focus where she explained her pro-life views.
“I’m pro-life, I have seen what abortion can do to a woman and when there isn’t a lot of thought being given, when it’s simple,” she said. “I’ve seen women who see abortion as a method of contraception instead of the thoughtful process that it absolutely deserves without the other alternative being discussed. I do oppose partial birth abortion. I think that is atrocious, that child is partial birth, you are born and then you are killed, and that is atrocious. That is a late term abortion and I don’t support that.”
Martinez was also endorsed by the pro-life organizations Right to Life Committee of New Mexico and Susan B. Anthony List.
Martinez is a former district attorney and she and her husband, Chuck Franco, who is in law enforcement as undersheriff of Dona Ana County, are both examples of the kind of people who come from Mexico to the United States and do it right. Richardson’s mother was Mexican, and he lived and worked in Mexico City, the Times indicates, while Martinez who grew up along the border, is also Mexican-American.
In 2010, Martinez cruised to victory in the New Mexico gubernatorial race, despite the state’s blue tendencies. President Obama carried the state by 15 points in 2008. Susana was first elected District Attorney in 1996. She was re-elected three times, running unopposed for the office in 2008. Martinez has twice been named New Mexico’s “Prosecutor of the Year.”
