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Wikipedia

Susana Martinez

Susana Martinez (born July 14, 1959) is an American politician and attorney who served as the 31st governor of New Mexico from 2011 to 2019. A Republican, she served as chair of the Republican Governors Association (RGA) from 2015 to 2016.[1][2] She was the first female Governor of New Mexico, and the first Hispanic female governor in the United States.[3]

Susana Martinez
31st Governor of New Mexico
In office
January 1, 2011 (2011-01-01) – January 1, 2019 (2019-01-01)
LieutenantJohn Sanchez
Preceded byBill Richardson
Succeeded byMichelle Lujan Grisham
District Attorney for the 3rd Judicial District of New Mexico
In office
January 1, 1997 (1997-01-01) – January 1, 2011 (2011-01-01)
Preceded byGreg Valdez
Succeeded byAmy Orlando
Personal details
Born (1959-07-14) July 14, 1959 (age 64)
El Paso, Texas, U.S.
Political partyRepublican (1995–present)
Other political
affiliations
Democratic (before 1995)
Spouse
(m. 1991; div. 2019)
Children1 stepson
Education
Signature

Born in El Paso, Texas, Martinez is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma College of Law. After being admitted to the State Bar of New Mexico, she began her prosecuting career in 1986 as an Assistant District Attorney for the 3rd Judicial District of New Mexico, based in Las Cruces. She was appointed Deputy District Attorney in 1992. She joined the Republican Party and ran for District Attorney in 1996, serving three terms, from 1997 to 2011.

After incumbent Governor Bill Richardson was term limited, Martinez declared her 2010 candidacy for the governorship. She won a five-candidate Republican primary and went on to defeat the then incumbent Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico Diane Denish with 53% of the vote in the general election. Four years later, she was reelected with 57% of the vote against New Mexico Attorney General Gary King.[4][5][6] In 2013, Martinez was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world.[7]

Early life, education, and early career edit

Susana Martinez was born on July 14, 1959, in El Paso, Texas. She was brought up in a middle-class family of Mexican descent. Her father, Jacobo "Jake" Martinez (1932–2013),[8][9] was a boxer for the U.S. Marines during the Korean War, and won three straight Golden Gloves titles in the 1950s. He served as a deputy sheriff for El Paso County.[10] Her mother, Paula Aguirre (d. 2006),[11] worked in various offices. Susana Martinez has two siblings, a sister and a brother.[10][12] Martinez was the legal guardian and caretaker of her older sister, Letitia "Lettie" Martinez, who had cerebral palsy and was developmentally disabled.[13] Lettie died at age 64 on August 13, 2021. [14] Martinez is a great-granddaughter of Mexican Revolutionary General Toribio Ortega.[15]

Martinez attended Riverside High School in El Paso, Texas. As a student, she was actively involved in various clubs and councils. She ran for and won the position of student body president in her senior year.[10] Being an honors student, she graduated as the valedictorian for the class of 1977. She earned her bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1981. She moved to Oklahoma and pursued the J.D. degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Law. She graduated in 1986.[16]

District Attorney's office edit

Assistant and deputy edit

Martinez was Assistant District Attorney for the 3rd Judicial District, serving Doña Ana County, New Mexico, from 1986 to 1992.[17] As Assistant District Attorney, she developed a specialty in the office of working with sexually abused children and developing a multidisciplinary team (that included help for victims). She participated in seminars related to domestic violence and sexual offenses, rapes and women and children. The district attorney for whom she worked, Doug Driggers, promoted her to Deputy District Attorney.[10]

Martinez was dismissed, but later returned, and was again appointed as Deputy District Attorney. She helped campaign for Driggers as he was running for a third term as District Attorney. Driggers lost the Democratic primary election to Gregory Valdez, a defense attorney. Martinez was fired by Valdez shortly after his victory in the general election. Valdez claims that he fired Martinez because she had missed key timelines in a case.[18] Martinez filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Valdez and was awarded an out-of-court settlement of $100,000 to $120,000.[19] She later twice defeated Valdez in the general election for District Attorney with approximate 18-point and 20-point wins, respectively.[10]

Martinez was first elected district attorney in the 3rd Judicial District in 1996 with nearly 60% of the vote.[20] She was re-elected three more times.

As a prosecutor, Martinez focused on cases involving public corruption and child abuse.[21] She worked to pass legislation to expand Katie's Law to "require a DNA sample for all felony arrests". During her first term as governor, she signed the expansion bill into law in April 2011.[22]

Governor of New Mexico (2011–2019) edit

2010 election edit

With 51% of the vote in a five-way contest, Martinez won the Republican nomination for governor of New Mexico in the primary election on June 1, 2010. Martinez defeated PR firm owner Doug Turner, State Representative Janice Arnold-Jones, Pete Domenici, Jr. (son of the former U.S. Senator Pete Domenici), and former Republican Party state chairman Allen Weh. During the primary campaign, Martinez was endorsed by former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.[23]

With 53% of the vote, Martinez defeated Diane Denish, then lieutenant governor of New Mexico in the general election on November 2, 2010. One element of her platform was to secure the Mexico–United States border from illegal immigrants. She defeated Denish by over 40,605 votes; she received 321,219 votes to Denish's 280,614 votes. The Martinez v. Denish race, and the simultaneous Mary Fallin v. Jari Askins race in Oklahoma, were the third and fourth cases of gubernatorial races in U.S. history in which two women were competitors (since the elections of Kay Orr in Nebraska in 1986 and Linda Lingle in Hawaii in 2002). Each of the victors was the Republican woman candidate.[24]

2014 election edit

On October 15, 2013, Martinez declared she would run for re-election. At the time of her announcement, she had already raised over $2.2 million in campaign contributions, nearly five times the amount of any of her challengers in the gubernatorial Democratic Primary. In the end she raised over $7 million in campaign money.[25]

Martinez faced no Republican primary opposition. On November 4, 2013, State Attorney General Gary King was the nominee chosen by voters in the Democratic primary to challenge Martinez; he received 35% in a five-way race. From the moment King won the primary, Martinez spent the entire campaign on daily and hourly TV attack commercials against King, which continued up to the day of the general election. 2014 had the lowest voting turn-out rate that year. On November 4, 2014, Martinez defeated King winning re-election with 57% of The vote.

Tenure edit

 
Martinez speaking at the unveiling of the statue of Leroy Petry, a Medal of Honor recipient, June 24, 2013

When Martinez took office, she set out a budget proposal for fiscal year 2012 and 2013, as well as establishing a moratorium on all state vehicle purchases until 2012.[26] She barred all state agencies from hiring former lobbyists.[26][27]

On January 31, 2011, Martinez signed an executive order rescinding sanctuary status for illegal immigrants who commit crimes in New Mexico.[28]

Martinez counts among her legislative victories: "the cap on film [tax] credits; a bill that would exempt locomotive fuel from state gross-receipts tax; and an expansion of Katie's Law, which will require law-enforcement officials to obtain DNA samples from all suspects booked on felony charges". She supported and signed a bill that will "assign schools the grades of A to F based on student achievement and other factors, such as high-school graduation rates. Martinez described her push for education reforms as 'a hard-fought battle against those who continued to defend the status quo'". In April 2011, Martinez signed the expansion bill on Katie's Law.[22] and a bill banning the use of corporal punishment in public schools, making New Mexico the 31st state (and currently most recent) to ban the practice in public schools.[29]

In 2011, the Supreme Court of New Mexico ruled twice against actions by Martinez. "In January, the court unanimously decided that Martinez acted improperly when she requested the state's records administrator delay publishing greenhouse-gas emissions rules that the state Environmental Improvement Board approved shortly before she took office." In addition, a unanimous court ruled on April 13, 2011, that "Gov. Susana Martinez lacked authority to arbitrarily remove two members of the state Public Employee Labor Relations Board."[30]

In 2011, Martinez attended her first "Tribal-State Summit," as required by New Mexico, in which the governor meets annually with the 22 recognized tribes. The topics of discussion for 2011 were tribal economic development and infrastructure; health care; natural resources, water, and education.[31]

Martinez has pushed for an increase in private investment to complete the US$212 million state-funded Spaceport America project. In order to drive the new effort, Gov. Martinez appointed an entirely new board of directors to oversee the Spaceport Authority. In 2012, Martinez sold the state's luxury jet, which she called "the ultimate symbol of waste and excess"; it sold for $2.51 million.[32][33][34]

The 2012 Las Conchas Fire, the third largest wildfire in state history, required emergency actions. Martinez issued a state of emergency to control the use of fireworks.[35] After the Las Conchas Fire burned to within miles of Los Alamos National Laboratory, Martinez made the removal of radioactive waste a top priority.[36] The fire destroyed trees and vegetation that normally absorb waters; in their absence, the state was subject to flooding, and Martinez asked the Obama administration for federal relief funding.[37]

In 2012, the chief medical officer for the New Mexico Department of Health and the deputy secretary both resigned. The individuals allege that Martinez ordered their termination for promoting birth control to the public.[38] Martinez and the New Mexico Department of Health denied any connection between the resignations and an interview concerning condom use.[39]

 
Martinez speaking at the 2012 Republican National Convention

Many Republicans speculated as to whether Martinez would be the vice presidential nominee on the Republican ticket in 2012 and 2016, but she said numerous times that she would not run.[40]

On May 15, 2012, as a result of the Whitewater-Baldy Complex Fire, Martinez declared the entire state of New Mexico to be in a drought. Martinez issued the formal drought declaration to enable farmers, ranchers, and others secure federal drought funding.[41][42] Martinez stated that "As a result of this fire, small businesses are unquestionably feeling the impact." She encouraged them to apply for SBA loans.[43] On June 8, Martinez declared Catron County, New Mexico, to be in a state of emergency. The declaration made funds available for both state and local response to the fire, and for community needs.[44]

At the 2012 Tribal-State Summit, Martinez discussed water rights, natural resources, education, and tribal economic development and infrastructure.[45] In the presence of Navajo President Ben Shelly, as well as several members of the Navajo Nation Council, Martinez announced that Central Consolidated School District will remain intact.[46]

In January 2013, Martinez announced that the Obamacare Medicaid expansion would go into effect in New Mexico.[47]

On March 29, 2013, Martinez vetoed a raise in the state minimum wage, citing that the raise was higher than neighboring states.[48]

As of May 2014, job losses in New Mexico had accelerated during the previous 12 months, making it one of two states in the nation to lose jobs. For the 12 months ending in April 2014, the state reported a net loss of 4,400 jobs, according to the state's Department of Workforce Solutions. The state has been affected by the reduction in spending and employment by the federal government. The sector lost 1,100 jobs during the period. New Mexico has been 50th in job growth since Martinez took office.[49] Martinez has said that tax cuts enacted during her tenure make the state more competitive in attracting manufacturing jobs. The state was among the finalists for a new Tesla battery plant. She also says that infrastructure investments at the entry port of Santa Teresa will generate transportation and manufacturing jobs.[49]

Martinez's term expired on January 1, 2019. She was succeeded by Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Controversies edit

FBI investigation into fundraising edit

On November 7, 2015, The Santa Fe New Mexican revealed that the FBI was conducting an investigation into Martinez's fundraising activities, going back to her first run for governor. The investigation was focused on activities of Martinez's chief political consultant Jay McCleskey.[50] Four months later, in March 2016, the investigation was terminated and no charges were filed.[51][52]

2015 staff Christmas party edit

On December 13, 2015, staff at the El Dorado Hotel in Santa Fe, New Mexico, called police concerning a noisy party on the 4th floor of the hotel, where guests were throwing bottles off the balcony. They said they already had warned the guests after complaints from other hotel guests about the noise. Martinez, members of her family, and some of her staff were attending the party. The Santa Fe police released a 911 tape, on which Martinez is heard repeatedly asking who made the complaint, and telling the police dispatcher that the investigation of the noise complaint should be, "called off," saying that officers were not needed.[53] News outlets, politicians, hotel security, and police raised questions about the governor's sobriety during the incident.[54][55] A responding Santa Fe Police officer had a belt recording that captured both police and hotel security referring to the governor as "inebriated".[56][57]

Unfounded allegations against behavioral health providers edit

Using a provision of Obamacare requiring the freeze of Medicaid payments to healthcare providers when a credible allegation of fraud exists, the New Mexico Human Services Department suspended payments to 15 behavioral health organizations in 2013.[58][59] The subsequent investigations, completed years later by Attorney General Hector Balderas, uncovered record keeping discrepancies at each organization, but did not find "an intentional pattern of fraud". Some of the organizations shut down because they were not able to sustain operations without Medicaid funds and were replaced by La Frontera, an Arizona-based company.[60][61][62]

Settlement with state police officer edit

When Martinez took office as governor, she appointed state police officer Ruben Maynes to her personal protection detail. In 2014, Maynes left Martinez’s detail and in 2015 resigned from the state police department.[63]

In July 2018, details of a 2015 financial settlement with Maynes came to light. Just two months after Maynes’ attorney informed Gov. Martinez that he was investigating claims against her and the state police chief, Pete Kassetas, for harassment and retaliation, the state quickly paid Maynes $200,000.[63]

Two weeks after Martinez left office at the end of 2018, Tony Fetty, another member of Martinez’s security detail, filed a lawsuit against the state claiming that the state police department retaliated against him for raising concerns about Maynes’ conduct, including that he racked up gambling debts and that state government resources were being spent on personal activities.[64] Fetty claims that “because of the overlapping of Agent Maynes’ personal life and frequency of non-professional concerns expressed by Gov. Martinez about Maynes, it became clear ... that there was a personal relationship between Gov. Martinez and Agent Maynes.” Fetty also says the governor’s husband, Chuck Franco, once told state police agents that he suspected his wife was having a relationship with Maynes.[65] Maynes has denied that he had an affair with Martinez.[66]

Secret lawsuit settlements edit

After Martinez left office, Pete Kassetas, the former chief of the New Mexico State Police went public with information about lawsuits filed by other former state employees – including more members of Martinez's security detail and her former longtime ally, Amy Orlando – that were secretly settled for $1.7 million in the final days of the Martinez administration without proper investigation.[67] The settlements included confidentiality agreements extending to June 2023, a clear violation of New Mexico law which mandates public disclosure after 180 days. In May 2019, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham invalidated the confidentiality agreements[68] and State Auditor Brian Colón launched an investigation.[69]

In the demand for settlement with the state, one of the attorneys for the plaintiffs wrote that “...we have compelling and irrefutable evidence, obtained legally, by (former head of security detail) Sergeant Julia Armendariz, at the Governor’s insistence, from Governor Martinez’s husband, Mr. Franco, of the Governor’s significant personal issues and instances of inappropriate behavior ...”. Another lawyer asked the state for all “embarrassing or compromising” … information “…regarding the personal life, alcohol or drug abuse or addiction, personal or intimate relationships or marital conflicts of the Governor.”[67]

Kassetas believed that the plaintiffs were “...attempting to extort the state based on potential personal embarrassing events surrounding the Governor and (first gentleman) Mr. Franco.”[67]

In November 2019, State Auditor Brian Colón released the results of his department’s audit, performed by outside investigators, into the secret settlements and concluded that they were improperly awarded and were “an abuse of power” by the Martinez administration, adding, “you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that these were expedited settlements in the best interest of the administration’s reputation.” The amount of the suspicious settlements over Martinez's tenure as governor increased to nearly $3 million.[70] Colón confirmed that he sent findings to Attorney General Hector Balderas and First Judicial District Attorney Marco Serna based in Santa Fe for possible violations of state law.[71] In response to the audit findings, the Republican Party of New Mexico said “The Party believes all public officials should be held accountable for their actions, held to the highest standard and that all governmental activity should be honest and transparent. No one is above the law. In addition, it is imperative that any such settlements never be a burden on New Mexico taxpayers.”[70]

Polling and opinion edit

In an April 2012 edition of The Washington Post, Martinez was named the 8th most-popular governor in the United States.[72] According to a Public Opinion Strategies survey conducted in 2013 for Martinez's campaign, Martinez had one of the highest approval ratings among US governors.[73]

In May 2013, Martinez had an approval rating of 66%.[74][75] More than 44% of New Mexico's Democrats said they approved of her.[76]

A January 2014 poll conducted by Research and Polling Inc., an Albuquerque-based pollster, on behalf of Common Cause New Mexico, ranked Martinez's approval rating at 55 percent.[77]

An October 2016 poll showed a strong drop in approval ratings to 39%, with a disapproval rating of 49%.[78]

In April 2017 market research firm Morning Consult published a poll of approval ratings for governors nationwide, which showed Martinez with an approval rating of 43%, and a disapproval rating of 48%, the 10th highest disapproval rating out of 49 governors.[79]

A January 2018 poll conducted by Morning Consult showed a steep drop in the approval rating of outgoing (term-limited) governor Martinez, with a 37% approval and a 57% disapproval rating. This placed her as the third least popular sitting governor in the country.[80]

Political positions edit

 
Martinez speaking at the 2021 Young Latino Leadership Summit

Martinez had grown up as a Democrat, but switched to the Republican Party in 1995.[81][82] Describing her decision to switch parties, Martinez told the audience at the Republican National Convention that Republican friends had taken her to lunch to try to persuade her to join their ranks. She had attended the lunch simply to be polite, but stated that "When we left that lunch, we got in the car, and I looked over at [husband] Chuck and said, 'I'll be damned – we're Republicans.'"[83]

Martinez supports a balanced budget and lower government spending. She favors putting taxpayer money into a rainy day fund, and refunding taxpayers to attempt to stimulate growth.[84] Martinez is opposed to elective abortion.[85] Martinez is personally opposed to same-sex marriage, but she accepted the New Mexico Supreme Court's opinion in Griego v. Oliver, which legalized same-sex marriage in New Mexico. She has no record on civil unions.[86]

Although Martinez opposed New Mexico's medical marijuana program, she indicated that repealing the existing law was not a priority.[87] Martinez opposes portions of the Affordable Care Act, such as the individual mandate, but does not support repeal of the law in its entirety.[88] She supported expansion of Medicaid in her state as part of health care reform.[89] She also supports Common Core education standards.[90]

In November 2015, Martinez said she opposed the Obama administration's plans to admit 10,000 Syrian refugees to the U.S. until development of procedures for background-checking and resettlement of the refugees.[91]

Martinez announced on August 17, 2016 that she would introduce legislation to reinstate the death penalty in 2017.[92] On October 14, 2016, the New Mexico House of Representatives approved the bill on a 36–30 vote. The bill would have allowed for the death penalty for only three kinds of murder: child murder, murder of an on-duty police officer, and murder of a prison employee by an inmate.[93]

In 2018, Martinez announced her support for the controversial immigration policy of President Donald J. Trump. In an interview with the Albuquerque Journal, Martinez told the paper “We don’t let people who break the law continue to be out breaking the law simply because they have children."[94]

Personal life edit

Martinez met her first husband in Norman, Oklahoma, where they were both attending law school. The couple moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, in the mid-1980s, but divorced three years later. She met her second husband, Chuck Franco, in Las Cruces, where they both worked in law enforcement.[95] Martinez and Franco divorced in 2019.

On September 9, 2011, Martinez said she knew her paternal grandparents, Adolfo Martinez and Francisca Ortega, had immigrated to the United States from Mexico "without documents".[96] They appeared to have followed the rules at the time.[15]

Board positions edit

Martinez is a board member for American Edge, a lobbying group for the technology industry.[97]

Awards and honors edit

Election history edit

Election Political result Candidate Party Votes %
New Mexico gubernatorial election, 2014
Turnout: 503,185
Republican hold
Majority: 73,913 (14.68%)
Susana MartinezRepublican288,54957%
Gary King Democratic214,63643%
New Mexico gubernatorial primary election, 2014Republican
Majority: 67,127 (100%)
Susana MartinezRepublicanunopposed
New Mexico gubernatorial election, 2010
Turnout: 602,827
Republican win (gain)
Majority: 40,605 (6%)
Susana MartinezRepublican321,21953%
Diane Denish Democratic280,61446%
New Mexico gubernatorial primary election, 2010
Turnout: 122,269
Republican
Majority: 28,279 (23%)
Susana MartinezRepublican62,00651%
Allen Weh Republican33,72728%
Doug Turner Republican14,16611%
Pete Domenici, Jr. Republican8,6307%
Janice Arnold–Jones Republican3,7403%
3rd Judicial District General Election, 2008Republican hold
Majority: 45,098 (100%)
Susana MartinezRepublicanunopposed
3rd Judicial District General Election, 2004[100]
Turnout: 60,451
Republican hold
Majority: 9,225 (20%)
Susana MartinezRepublican34,83860%
Gregory Valdez Democratic25,61340%
3rd Judicial District General Election, 2000 [101]
Turnout: 29,714
Republican hold
Majority: 1,972 (4%)
Susana MartinezRepublican15,84352%
Kent E. Yalkut Democratic13,87148%
3rd Judicial District General Election, 1996 [102]
Turnout: 41,839
Republican win (gain)
Majority: 7,505 (18%)
Susana MartinezRepublican24,67259%
Gregory Valdez Democratic17,16741%

See also edit

References edit

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  2. ^ "RGA Announces 2016 Leadership « Republican Governors Association". Rga.org. November 19, 2015. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  3. ^ "New Mexico's Susana Martinez 1st woman, 1st Hispanic to lead GOP Governors Association | Fox News Latino". Latino.foxnews.com. November 20, 2015. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
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  5. ^ Noreen Malone (November 3, 2010). "Susana Martinez, First Latina Governor, Will Be Tough on Border Security". Slate. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
  6. ^ . MSNBC. November 2, 2010. Archived from the original on November 4, 2010. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
  7. ^ a b Rove, Karl (April 18, 2013). "The 2013 TIME 100: Susana Martinez". Time. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
  8. ^ "Jacobo "Jake" Martinez". Geni. May 2, 1932.
  9. ^ Boyd, Dan (January 2, 2013). "Gov.'s Father Was War Veteran, Boxing Champ". Albuquerque Journal.
  10. ^ a b c d e Heild, Colleen. "Tough As Nails", Albuquerque Journal, September 10, 2010.
  11. ^ Uyttebrouck, Olivier (March 31, 2013). "Governor's trip to Rome memorable". Albuquerque Journal.
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  13. ^ . state.nm.us. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
  14. ^ @Gov_Martinez (August 19, 2021). "My heart is very heavy as my sister has joined my mother, father and brother in heaven. I loved her everyday and no…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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  33. ^ . Cibola Beacon. February 14, 2011. Archived from the original on February 18, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2011. Martinez said … "New Mexico's taxpayers have made a significant investment in the Spaceport project. It's time to see the project through to completion by bringing in private funding."
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  102. ^ . Government of New Mexico. April 1, 1996. Archived from the original on November 30, 2008. Retrieved July 27, 2023.

External links edit

  • Official campaign website
  • Susana Martinez at Curlie
  • Appearances on C-SPAN
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Governor of New Mexico
2010, 2014
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chair of the Republican Governors Association
2015–2016
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Governor of New Mexico
2011–2019
Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former Governor Order of precedence of the United States
Within New Mexico
Succeeded byas Former Governor
Order of precedence of the United States
Outside New Mexico
Succeeded byas Former Governor

susana, martinez, born, july, 1959, american, politician, attorney, served, 31st, governor, mexico, from, 2011, 2019, republican, served, chair, republican, governors, association, from, 2015, 2016, first, female, governor, mexico, first, hispanic, female, gov. Susana Martinez born July 14 1959 is an American politician and attorney who served as the 31st governor of New Mexico from 2011 to 2019 A Republican she served as chair of the Republican Governors Association RGA from 2015 to 2016 1 2 She was the first female Governor of New Mexico and the first Hispanic female governor in the United States 3 Susana Martinez31st Governor of New MexicoIn office January 1 2011 2011 01 01 January 1 2019 2019 01 01 LieutenantJohn SanchezPreceded byBill RichardsonSucceeded byMichelle Lujan GrishamDistrict Attorney for the 3rd Judicial District of New MexicoIn office January 1 1997 1997 01 01 January 1 2011 2011 01 01 Preceded byGreg ValdezSucceeded byAmy OrlandoPersonal detailsBorn 1959 07 14 July 14 1959 age 64 El Paso Texas U S Political partyRepublican 1995 present Other politicalaffiliationsDemocratic before 1995 SpouseChuck Franco m 1991 div 2019 wbr Children1 stepsonEducationUniversity of Texas El Paso BA University of Oklahoma JD SignatureBorn in El Paso Texas Martinez is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma College of Law After being admitted to the State Bar of New Mexico she began her prosecuting career in 1986 as an Assistant District Attorney for the 3rd Judicial District of New Mexico based in Las Cruces She was appointed Deputy District Attorney in 1992 She joined the Republican Party and ran for District Attorney in 1996 serving three terms from 1997 to 2011 After incumbent Governor Bill Richardson was term limited Martinez declared her 2010 candidacy for the governorship She won a five candidate Republican primary and went on to defeat the then incumbent Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico Diane Denish with 53 of the vote in the general election Four years later she was reelected with 57 of the vote against New Mexico Attorney General Gary King 4 5 6 In 2013 Martinez was named one of Time magazine s 100 most influential people in the world 7 Contents 1 Early life education and early career 2 District Attorney s office 2 1 Assistant and deputy 3 Governor of New Mexico 2011 2019 3 1 2010 election 3 2 2014 election 3 3 Tenure 3 4 Controversies 3 4 1 FBI investigation into fundraising 3 4 2 2015 staff Christmas party 3 4 3 Unfounded allegations against behavioral health providers 3 4 4 Settlement with state police officer 3 4 5 Secret lawsuit settlements 3 5 Polling and opinion 4 Political positions 5 Personal life 5 1 Board positions 5 2 Awards and honors 6 Election history 7 See also 8 References 9 External linksEarly life education and early career editSusana Martinez was born on July 14 1959 in El Paso Texas She was brought up in a middle class family of Mexican descent Her father Jacobo Jake Martinez 1932 2013 8 9 was a boxer for the U S Marines during the Korean War and won three straight Golden Gloves titles in the 1950s He served as a deputy sheriff for El Paso County 10 Her mother Paula Aguirre d 2006 11 worked in various offices Susana Martinez has two siblings a sister and a brother 10 12 Martinez was the legal guardian and caretaker of her older sister Letitia Lettie Martinez who had cerebral palsy and was developmentally disabled 13 Lettie died at age 64 on August 13 2021 14 Martinez is a great granddaughter of Mexican Revolutionary General Toribio Ortega 15 Martinez attended Riverside High School in El Paso Texas As a student she was actively involved in various clubs and councils She ran for and won the position of student body president in her senior year 10 Being an honors student she graduated as the valedictorian for the class of 1977 She earned her bachelor s degree in criminal justice from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1981 She moved to Oklahoma and pursued the J D degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Law She graduated in 1986 16 District Attorney s office editAssistant and deputy edit Martinez was Assistant District Attorney for the 3rd Judicial District serving Dona Ana County New Mexico from 1986 to 1992 17 As Assistant District Attorney she developed a specialty in the office of working with sexually abused children and developing a multidisciplinary team that included help for victims She participated in seminars related to domestic violence and sexual offenses rapes and women and children The district attorney for whom she worked Doug Driggers promoted her to Deputy District Attorney 10 Martinez was dismissed but later returned and was again appointed as Deputy District Attorney She helped campaign for Driggers as he was running for a third term as District Attorney Driggers lost the Democratic primary election to Gregory Valdez a defense attorney Martinez was fired by Valdez shortly after his victory in the general election Valdez claims that he fired Martinez because she had missed key timelines in a case 18 Martinez filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Valdez and was awarded an out of court settlement of 100 000 to 120 000 19 She later twice defeated Valdez in the general election for District Attorney with approximate 18 point and 20 point wins respectively 10 Martinez was first elected district attorney in the 3rd Judicial District in 1996 with nearly 60 of the vote 20 She was re elected three more times As a prosecutor Martinez focused on cases involving public corruption and child abuse 21 She worked to pass legislation to expand Katie s Law to require a DNA sample for all felony arrests During her first term as governor she signed the expansion bill into law in April 2011 22 Governor of New Mexico 2011 2019 edit2010 election edit Main article 2010 New Mexico gubernatorial election With 51 of the vote in a five way contest Martinez won the Republican nomination for governor of New Mexico in the primary election on June 1 2010 Martinez defeated PR firm owner Doug Turner State Representative Janice Arnold Jones Pete Domenici Jr son of the former U S Senator Pete Domenici and former Republican Party state chairman Allen Weh During the primary campaign Martinez was endorsed by former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin 23 With 53 of the vote Martinez defeated Diane Denish then lieutenant governor of New Mexico in the general election on November 2 2010 One element of her platform was to secure the Mexico United States border from illegal immigrants She defeated Denish by over 40 605 votes she received 321 219 votes to Denish s 280 614 votes The Martinez v Denish race and the simultaneous Mary Fallin v Jari Askins race in Oklahoma were the third and fourth cases of gubernatorial races in U S history in which two women were competitors since the elections of Kay Orr in Nebraska in 1986 and Linda Lingle in Hawaii in 2002 Each of the victors was the Republican woman candidate 24 2014 election edit Main article 2014 New Mexico gubernatorial election On October 15 2013 Martinez declared she would run for re election At the time of her announcement she had already raised over 2 2 million in campaign contributions nearly five times the amount of any of her challengers in the gubernatorial Democratic Primary In the end she raised over 7 million in campaign money 25 Martinez faced no Republican primary opposition On November 4 2013 State Attorney General Gary King was the nominee chosen by voters in the Democratic primary to challenge Martinez he received 35 in a five way race From the moment King won the primary Martinez spent the entire campaign on daily and hourly TV attack commercials against King which continued up to the day of the general election 2014 had the lowest voting turn out rate that year On November 4 2014 Martinez defeated King winning re election with 57 of The vote Tenure edit nbsp Martinez speaking at the unveiling of the statue of Leroy Petry a Medal of Honor recipient June 24 2013When Martinez took office she set out a budget proposal for fiscal year 2012 and 2013 as well as establishing a moratorium on all state vehicle purchases until 2012 26 She barred all state agencies from hiring former lobbyists 26 27 On January 31 2011 Martinez signed an executive order rescinding sanctuary status for illegal immigrants who commit crimes in New Mexico 28 Martinez counts among her legislative victories the cap on film tax credits a bill that would exempt locomotive fuel from state gross receipts tax and an expansion of Katie s Law which will require law enforcement officials to obtain DNA samples from all suspects booked on felony charges She supported and signed a bill that will assign schools the grades of A to F based on student achievement and other factors such as high school graduation rates Martinez described her push for education reforms as a hard fought battle against those who continued to defend the status quo In April 2011 Martinez signed the expansion bill on Katie s Law 22 and a bill banning the use of corporal punishment in public schools making New Mexico the 31st state and currently most recent to ban the practice in public schools 29 In 2011 the Supreme Court of New Mexico ruled twice against actions by Martinez In January the court unanimously decided that Martinez acted improperly when she requested the state s records administrator delay publishing greenhouse gas emissions rules that the state Environmental Improvement Board approved shortly before she took office In addition a unanimous court ruled on April 13 2011 that Gov Susana Martinez lacked authority to arbitrarily remove two members of the state Public Employee Labor Relations Board 30 In 2011 Martinez attended her first Tribal State Summit as required by New Mexico in which the governor meets annually with the 22 recognized tribes The topics of discussion for 2011 were tribal economic development and infrastructure health care natural resources water and education 31 Martinez has pushed for an increase in private investment to complete the US 212 million state funded Spaceport America project In order to drive the new effort Gov Martinez appointed an entirely new board of directors to oversee the Spaceport Authority In 2012 Martinez sold the state s luxury jet which she called the ultimate symbol of waste and excess it sold for 2 51 million 32 33 34 The 2012 Las Conchas Fire the third largest wildfire in state history required emergency actions Martinez issued a state of emergency to control the use of fireworks 35 After the Las Conchas Fire burned to within miles of Los Alamos National Laboratory Martinez made the removal of radioactive waste a top priority 36 The fire destroyed trees and vegetation that normally absorb waters in their absence the state was subject to flooding and Martinez asked the Obama administration for federal relief funding 37 In 2012 the chief medical officer for the New Mexico Department of Health and the deputy secretary both resigned The individuals allege that Martinez ordered their termination for promoting birth control to the public 38 Martinez and the New Mexico Department of Health denied any connection between the resignations and an interview concerning condom use 39 nbsp Martinez speaking at the 2012 Republican National ConventionMany Republicans speculated as to whether Martinez would be the vice presidential nominee on the Republican ticket in 2012 and 2016 but she said numerous times that she would not run 40 On May 15 2012 as a result of the Whitewater Baldy Complex Fire Martinez declared the entire state of New Mexico to be in a drought Martinez issued the formal drought declaration to enable farmers ranchers and others secure federal drought funding 41 42 Martinez stated that As a result of this fire small businesses are unquestionably feeling the impact She encouraged them to apply for SBA loans 43 On June 8 Martinez declared Catron County New Mexico to be in a state of emergency The declaration made funds available for both state and local response to the fire and for community needs 44 At the 2012 Tribal State Summit Martinez discussed water rights natural resources education and tribal economic development and infrastructure 45 In the presence of Navajo President Ben Shelly as well as several members of the Navajo Nation Council Martinez announced that Central Consolidated School District will remain intact 46 In January 2013 Martinez announced that the Obamacare Medicaid expansion would go into effect in New Mexico 47 On March 29 2013 Martinez vetoed a raise in the state minimum wage citing that the raise was higher than neighboring states 48 As of May 2014 job losses in New Mexico had accelerated during the previous 12 months making it one of two states in the nation to lose jobs For the 12 months ending in April 2014 the state reported a net loss of 4 400 jobs according to the state s Department of Workforce Solutions The state has been affected by the reduction in spending and employment by the federal government The sector lost 1 100 jobs during the period New Mexico has been 50th in job growth since Martinez took office 49 Martinez has said that tax cuts enacted during her tenure make the state more competitive in attracting manufacturing jobs The state was among the finalists for a new Tesla battery plant She also says that infrastructure investments at the entry port of Santa Teresa will generate transportation and manufacturing jobs 49 Martinez s term expired on January 1 2019 She was succeeded by Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham Controversies edit FBI investigation into fundraising edit On November 7 2015 The Santa Fe New Mexican revealed that the FBI was conducting an investigation into Martinez s fundraising activities going back to her first run for governor The investigation was focused on activities of Martinez s chief political consultant Jay McCleskey 50 Four months later in March 2016 the investigation was terminated and no charges were filed 51 52 2015 staff Christmas party edit On December 13 2015 staff at the El Dorado Hotel in Santa Fe New Mexico called police concerning a noisy party on the 4th floor of the hotel where guests were throwing bottles off the balcony They said they already had warned the guests after complaints from other hotel guests about the noise Martinez members of her family and some of her staff were attending the party The Santa Fe police released a 911 tape on which Martinez is heard repeatedly asking who made the complaint and telling the police dispatcher that the investigation of the noise complaint should be called off saying that officers were not needed 53 News outlets politicians hotel security and police raised questions about the governor s sobriety during the incident 54 55 A responding Santa Fe Police officer had a belt recording that captured both police and hotel security referring to the governor as inebriated 56 57 Unfounded allegations against behavioral health providers edit Using a provision of Obamacare requiring the freeze of Medicaid payments to healthcare providers when a credible allegation of fraud exists the New Mexico Human Services Department suspended payments to 15 behavioral health organizations in 2013 58 59 The subsequent investigations completed years later by Attorney General Hector Balderas uncovered record keeping discrepancies at each organization but did not find an intentional pattern of fraud Some of the organizations shut down because they were not able to sustain operations without Medicaid funds and were replaced by La Frontera an Arizona based company 60 61 62 Settlement with state police officer edit When Martinez took office as governor she appointed state police officer Ruben Maynes to her personal protection detail In 2014 Maynes left Martinez s detail and in 2015 resigned from the state police department 63 In July 2018 details of a 2015 financial settlement with Maynes came to light Just two months after Maynes attorney informed Gov Martinez that he was investigating claims against her and the state police chief Pete Kassetas for harassment and retaliation the state quickly paid Maynes 200 000 63 Two weeks after Martinez left office at the end of 2018 Tony Fetty another member of Martinez s security detail filed a lawsuit against the state claiming that the state police department retaliated against him for raising concerns about Maynes conduct including that he racked up gambling debts and that state government resources were being spent on personal activities 64 Fetty claims that because of the overlapping of Agent Maynes personal life and frequency of non professional concerns expressed by Gov Martinez about Maynes it became clear that there was a personal relationship between Gov Martinez and Agent Maynes Fetty also says the governor s husband Chuck Franco once told state police agents that he suspected his wife was having a relationship with Maynes 65 Maynes has denied that he had an affair with Martinez 66 Secret lawsuit settlements edit After Martinez left office Pete Kassetas the former chief of the New Mexico State Police went public with information about lawsuits filed by other former state employees including more members of Martinez s security detail and her former longtime ally Amy Orlando that were secretly settled for 1 7 million in the final days of the Martinez administration without proper investigation 67 The settlements included confidentiality agreements extending to June 2023 a clear violation of New Mexico law which mandates public disclosure after 180 days In May 2019 Gov Michelle Lujan Grisham invalidated the confidentiality agreements 68 and State Auditor Brian Colon launched an investigation 69 In the demand for settlement with the state one of the attorneys for the plaintiffs wrote that we have compelling and irrefutable evidence obtained legally by former head of security detail Sergeant Julia Armendariz at the Governor s insistence from Governor Martinez s husband Mr Franco of the Governor s significant personal issues and instances of inappropriate behavior Another lawyer asked the state for all embarrassing or compromising information regarding the personal life alcohol or drug abuse or addiction personal or intimate relationships or marital conflicts of the Governor 67 Kassetas believed that the plaintiffs were attempting to extort the state based on potential personal embarrassing events surrounding the Governor and first gentleman Mr Franco 67 In November 2019 State Auditor Brian Colon released the results of his department s audit performed by outside investigators into the secret settlements and concluded that they were improperly awarded and were an abuse of power by the Martinez administration adding you don t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that these were expedited settlements in the best interest of the administration s reputation The amount of the suspicious settlements over Martinez s tenure as governor increased to nearly 3 million 70 Colon confirmed that he sent findings to Attorney General Hector Balderas and First Judicial District Attorney Marco Serna based in Santa Fe for possible violations of state law 71 In response to the audit findings the Republican Party of New Mexico said The Party believes all public officials should be held accountable for their actions held to the highest standard and that all governmental activity should be honest and transparent No one is above the law In addition it is imperative that any such settlements never be a burden on New Mexico taxpayers 70 Polling and opinion edit In an April 2012 edition of The Washington Post Martinez was named the 8th most popular governor in the United States 72 According to a Public Opinion Strategies survey conducted in 2013 for Martinez s campaign Martinez had one of the highest approval ratings among US governors 73 In May 2013 Martinez had an approval rating of 66 74 75 More than 44 of New Mexico s Democrats said they approved of her 76 A January 2014 poll conducted by Research and Polling Inc an Albuquerque based pollster on behalf of Common Cause New Mexico ranked Martinez s approval rating at 55 percent 77 An October 2016 poll showed a strong drop in approval ratings to 39 with a disapproval rating of 49 78 In April 2017 market research firm Morning Consult published a poll of approval ratings for governors nationwide which showed Martinez with an approval rating of 43 and a disapproval rating of 48 the 10th highest disapproval rating out of 49 governors 79 A January 2018 poll conducted by Morning Consult showed a steep drop in the approval rating of outgoing term limited governor Martinez with a 37 approval and a 57 disapproval rating This placed her as the third least popular sitting governor in the country 80 Political positions edit nbsp Martinez speaking at the 2021 Young Latino Leadership SummitMartinez had grown up as a Democrat but switched to the Republican Party in 1995 81 82 Describing her decision to switch parties Martinez told the audience at the Republican National Convention that Republican friends had taken her to lunch to try to persuade her to join their ranks She had attended the lunch simply to be polite but stated that When we left that lunch we got in the car and I looked over at husband Chuck and said I ll be damned we re Republicans 83 Martinez supports a balanced budget and lower government spending She favors putting taxpayer money into a rainy day fund and refunding taxpayers to attempt to stimulate growth 84 Martinez is opposed to elective abortion 85 Martinez is personally opposed to same sex marriage but she accepted the New Mexico Supreme Court s opinion in Griego v Oliver which legalized same sex marriage in New Mexico She has no record on civil unions 86 Although Martinez opposed New Mexico s medical marijuana program she indicated that repealing the existing law was not a priority 87 Martinez opposes portions of the Affordable Care Act such as the individual mandate but does not support repeal of the law in its entirety 88 She supported expansion of Medicaid in her state as part of health care reform 89 She also supports Common Core education standards 90 In November 2015 Martinez said she opposed the Obama administration s plans to admit 10 000 Syrian refugees to the U S until development of procedures for background checking and resettlement of the refugees 91 Martinez announced on August 17 2016 that she would introduce legislation to reinstate the death penalty in 2017 92 On October 14 2016 the New Mexico House of Representatives approved the bill on a 36 30 vote The bill would have allowed for the death penalty for only three kinds of murder child murder murder of an on duty police officer and murder of a prison employee by an inmate 93 In 2018 Martinez announced her support for the controversial immigration policy of President Donald J Trump In an interview with the Albuquerque Journal Martinez told the paper We don t let people who break the law continue to be out breaking the law simply because they have children 94 Personal life editMartinez met her first husband in Norman Oklahoma where they were both attending law school The couple moved to Las Cruces New Mexico in the mid 1980s but divorced three years later She met her second husband Chuck Franco in Las Cruces where they both worked in law enforcement 95 Martinez and Franco divorced in 2019 On September 9 2011 Martinez said she knew her paternal grandparents Adolfo Martinez and Francisca Ortega had immigrated to the United States from Mexico without documents 96 They appeared to have followed the rules at the time 15 Board positions edit Martinez is a board member for American Edge a lobbying group for the technology industry 97 Awards and honors edit 2010 State Bar of New Mexico named Martinez Prosecutor of the Year 98 2013 Time magazine named Martinez to their 100 most influential people in the world list 7 99 Election history editElection Political result Candidate Party Votes New Mexico gubernatorial election 2014Turnout 503 185Republican hold Majority 73 913 14 68 Susana MartinezRepublican288 54957 Gary KingDemocratic214 63643 New Mexico gubernatorial primary election 2014Republican Majority 67 127 100 Susana MartinezRepublicanunopposedNew Mexico gubernatorial election 2010Turnout 602 827Republican win gain Majority 40 605 6 Susana MartinezRepublican321 21953 Diane DenishDemocratic280 61446 New Mexico gubernatorial primary election 2010Turnout 122 269Republican Majority 28 279 23 Susana MartinezRepublican62 00651 Allen WehRepublican33 72728 Doug TurnerRepublican14 16611 Pete Domenici Jr Republican8 6307 Janice Arnold JonesRepublican3 7403 3rd Judicial District General Election 2008Republican hold Majority 45 098 100 Susana MartinezRepublicanunopposed3rd Judicial District General Election 2004 100 Turnout 60 451Republican hold Majority 9 225 20 Susana MartinezRepublican34 83860 Gregory ValdezDemocratic25 61340 3rd Judicial District General Election 2000 101 Turnout 29 714Republican hold Majority 1 972 4 Susana MartinezRepublican15 84352 Kent E YalkutDemocratic13 87148 3rd Judicial District General Election 1996 102 Turnout 41 839Republican win gain Majority 7 505 18 Susana MartinezRepublican24 67259 Gregory ValdezDemocratic17 16741 See also editList of female governors in the United States List of minority governors and lieutenant governors in the United StatesReferences edit Davis Susan Political Trivia New Mexico Marks a Milestone Wall Street Journal June 2 2010 RGA Announces 2016 Leadership Republican Governors Association Rga org November 19 2015 Retrieved February 23 2016 New Mexico s Susana Martinez 1st woman 1st Hispanic to lead GOP Governors Association Fox News Latino Latino foxnews com November 20 2015 Retrieved February 23 2016 Mariela Rosario November 3 2010 New Mexico s Susana Martinez Elected the First Latina Governor in the U S Latina Retrieved September 19 2011 Noreen Malone November 3 2010 Susana Martinez First Latina Governor Will Be Tough on Border Security Slate Retrieved September 19 2011 Nation s first female Hispanic governor elected MSNBC November 2 2010 Archived from the original on November 4 2010 Retrieved September 19 2011 a b Rove Karl April 18 2013 The 2013 TIME 100 Susana Martinez Time Retrieved July 19 2013 Jacobo Jake Martinez Geni May 2 1932 Boyd Dan January 2 2013 Gov s Father Was War Veteran Boxing Champ Albuquerque Journal a b c d e Heild Colleen Tough As Nails Albuquerque Journal September 10 2010 Uyttebrouck Olivier March 31 2013 Governor s trip to Rome memorable Albuquerque Journal Ramon Renteria Bossy El Paso girl Susana Martinez a born leader El Paso Times Retrieved July 19 2013 permanent dead link Governor Susana Martinez state nm us Archived from the original on June 29 2012 Retrieved August 12 2015 Gov Martinez August 19 2021 My heart is very heavy as my sister has joined my mother father and brother in heaven I loved her everyday and no Tweet via Twitter a b Johnson Luke November 14 2011 Susana Martinez New Mexico Governor Releases Evidence On Her Grandparents Immigration Status The Huffington Post Ramon Renteria October 24 2010 Bossy El Paso girl Susana Martinez a born leader El Paso Times Retrieved September 19 2011 permanent dead link Susana Martinez biodata at Biography com Archived from the original on August 20 2012 Retrieved July 19 2013 Heild Colleen September 12 2010 Tough As Nails Albuquerque Journal Retrieved November 4 2014 A game changer DA Martinez is running for governor NMPolitics net July 14 2009 Retrieved July 19 2013 Susana Martinez elected as District Attorney in 3rd Judicial District PDF July 19 2013 Retrieved November 5 2014 Meet Governor Martinez Governor state nm us Archived from the original on June 29 2012 Retrieved July 16 2012 a b Susana Martinez Governor of the State of New Mexico State of New Mexico Archived from the original on June 29 2012 Retrieved November 5 2014 Miller Sean J Palin helps New Mexico Republican win primary The Hill June 1 2010 New Mexico Governor s Race Milestone for Women Test of Anti Incumbent Mood ABC News September 28 2010 Retrieved July 16 2012 Susana Martinez raises 2 million for re election Albuquerque Journal Associated Press October 15 2013 Retrieved November 5 2014 a b Susana Martinez record as governor PDF Archived from the original PDF on October 2 2011 Retrieved July 19 2013 Martinez bars all state agencies from hiring lobbyists PDF Archived from the original PDF on October 2 2011 Retrieved July 19 2013 Martinez signs executive order rescinding sanctuary status for illegal immigrants who commit crimes in New Mexico PDF Archived from the original PDF on October 2 2011 Retrieved July 19 2013 None None April 6 2011 Martinez signs corporal punishment ban in schools santafenewmexican com Court rules against Martinez in labor case the Santa Fe New Mexican www santafenewmexican com Archived from the original on September 11 2012 Retrieved February 3 2022 Gov Indian Leaders To Hold Summit Next Week amp 124 Albuquerque Journal Abqjournal com Retrieved February 23 2016 New era draws closer Spaceport dedicates runway on New Mexico ranch El Paso Times October 23 2010 Archived from the original on December 10 2012 Retrieved February 16 2011 two thirds of the 212 million required to build the spaceport came from the state of New Mexico The rest came from construction bonds backed by a tax approved by voters in Dona Ana and Sierra counties Martinez pushes private funds for spaceport Cibola Beacon February 14 2011 Archived from the original on February 18 2011 Retrieved February 16 2011 Martinez said New Mexico s taxpayers have made a significant investment in the Spaceport project It s time to see the project through to completion by bringing in private funding Governor Martinez Sells the State Owned Luxury Jet for 2 51 Million Governor state nm us Retrieved July 19 2013 KOB com Archived from the original on January 31 2016 Retrieved August 30 2012 LANL Will Remove Radioactive Waste Albuquerque Journal Abqjournal com Retrieved February 23 2016 Gov Seeks Funds For Flood Help Albuquerque Journal Abqjournal com Retrieved February 23 2016 Haywood Phaedra Health Official Says her Resignation was tied to Comments on Condom Use The Santa Fe New Mexican Retrieved May 23 2012 Official resigns after condom comment Fox News Channel Retrieved June 8 2012 Gov on VP No means No Albuquerque Journal April 8 2012 Retrieved April 17 2012 Martinez issues drought declaration American City Business Journals May 17 2012 Retrieved June 7 2012 Record setting NM fire expected to burn for weeks Kansas City Star June 1 2012 Retrieved June 6 2012 Fire impacted small businesses urged to seek SBA loans American City Business Journals May 29 2012 Retrieved June 7 2012 NM governor declares emergency in Catron County due to fire Las Cruces Sun News June 8 2012 Retrieved June 8 2012 Gov Susana Martinez applauds tribal state summit KFDA TV June 8 2012 Retrieved June 9 2012 State won t split CCSD Farmington Daily Times June 8 2012 Retrieved June 9 2012 GOP Governor Bucks Trend on Health Care Reform January 9 2013 Gov vetoes Minimum wage increase New Mexico Telegram Archived from the original on April 2 2013 Retrieved April 22 2013 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint unfit URL link a b Local News Santa Fe New Mexican Retrieved November 5 2014 Horwath Justin November 6 2015 Feds investigate Gov Susana Martinez adviser Jay McCleskey campaign funds santafenewmexican com Retrieved November 10 2015 Lee Morgan Attorney Grand jury drops probe of governor s adviser The Washington Times Retrieved March 21 2016 Peters Joey November 10 2015 Gov confirms FBI spoke to her staff about investigations nmpoliticalreport com Retrieved November 10 2015 Goddard Taegan December 18 2015 Police Called to New Mexico Governor s Hotel Room Archived from the original on December 24 2015 Retrieved December 27 2015 New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan Joemonahansnewmexico blogspot com Retrieved February 23 2016 Marans Daniel December 18 2015 Totally Not Drunk New Mexico Governor Chastises Cops For Breaking Up Her Hotel Party HuffPost Archived from the original on December 21 2015 Retrieved December 27 2015 Audio Santa Fe police hotel security agree governor inebriated KRQE News 13 Krqe com December 22 2015 Retrieved February 23 2016 New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan Joemonahansnewmexico blogspot com Retrieved February 23 2016 Feds to review availability of behavioral health care in New Mexico July 7 2017 Balderas Last 2 behavioral health providers cleared of Medicaid fraud April 5 2016 After The Shakeup The Behavioral Health System In New Mexico Public Health New Mexico a KUNM Reporting Project Deborah Baker AG clears 10 more behavioral health providers of fraud www abqjournal com Former provider sues over New Mexico mental health shakeup Albuquerque Journal Associated Press a b By Andrew Oxford July 17 2018 Records State settled quickly with former Martinez bodyguard Santa Fe New Mexican Retrieved May 25 2021 By Andrew Oxford January 22 2019 Former New Mexico governor s bodyguard files suit Santa Fe New Mexican Retrieved May 25 2021 Writers Jessica Dyer And Katy Barnitz Journal Staff Ex bodyguard for Martinez files suit www abqjournal com Retrieved May 25 2021 By Steve Terrell May 30 2019 Martinez bodyguard There was no affair Santa Fe New Mexican Retrieved May 25 2021 a b c 1 7 million paid in confidential state settlements KRQE News 13 Albuquerque Santa Fe May 21 2019 Retrieved May 25 2021 Reporter Colleen Heild Journal Investigative Secrecy veil lifted on DPS lawsuits www abqjournal com Retrieved May 25 2021 State auditor investigates after 1 7 million paid in secret state settlements KRQE News 13 Albuquerque Santa Fe May 28 2019 Retrieved May 25 2021 a b Reporter Colleen Heild Journal Investigative State auditor alleges abuse of power in secret settlements www abqjournal com Retrieved May 25 2021 Gould Jens Mexican Santa Fe New February 9 2020 Senate passes public records bill chides Martinez administration The NM Political Report Retrieved May 25 2021 Blake Aaron April 12 2012 The nation s 10 most popular governors and why The Washington Post Cohen Micah May 28 2013 Popular Governors and Prospects for 2016 The New York Times Martinez still enjoying high approval ratings Archived February 2 2014 at the Wayback Machine Newmexico watchdog org Retrieved November 5 2015 Martinez still popular Sfreporter com Retrieved November 5 2014 Approval ratings soar for Susana Martinez Archived February 2 2014 at the Wayback Machine Gop12 thehill com September 2012 Retrieved November 5 2014 GovBeat The Washington Post Retrieved November 5 2014 Results of SurveyUSA Election Poll 23181 SurveyUSA Retrieved February 2 2017 Chris Christie Is Now America s Most Unpopular Governor Morning Consult Retrieved January 23 2018 America s Most and Least Popular Governors Morning Consult Retrieved February 1 2018 Michael Haederle January 1 2011 A rising GOP star in Santa Fe Los Angeles Times Retrieved July 19 2013 How to grab them Susana Martinez shows how Republicans might one day woo Latinos The Economist December 17 2011 Coleman Michael Martinez Earns Kudos for Convention Speech Albuquerque Journal August 31 2012 Susana Martinez on Budget amp Economy Issues2000 org Retrieved July 16 2012 Susana Martinez on Abortion Issues2000 org Retrieved July 16 2012 Governor Susana Martinez Unmoved On Same Sex Marriage Despite Hairstylist Protest The Huffington Post February 27 2012 Retrieved July 16 2012 Milan Simonich January 7 2011 New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez to ignore marijuana law El Paso Times Archived from the original on January 2 2013 Retrieved September 19 2011 Eric W Dolan Gov Martinez breaks with GOP Parts of Obamacare good Raw Story Milan Simonich NM Gov Susana Martinez bucks Republican tide and moves to expand Medicaid as part of healthcare reform Four Corners News Daily Times 50 State Look at How Common Core Playing Out in US The New York Times Associated Press August 30 2014 Republican Gov Susana Martinez s administration has been a strong advocate of the Common Core standards Gov Martinez opposes federal plan to accept more Syrian refugees KOAT News Martinez to pursue death penalty during 2017 legislative session Santa Fe New Mexican August 17 2016 Retrieved August 21 2016 NM House approves death penalty KOAT October 16 2016 Retrieved January 4 2017 Bureau Angela Kocherga Journal Staff Writer Las Cruces Martinez supports new immigration policy www abqjournal com Retrieved May 24 2021 The First Gentleman www governor state nm us Archived from the original on May 21 2012 Retrieved July 10 2016 New Mexico Gov Susana Martinez Confirms that Grandparents Were Undocumented Fox News Latino September 9 2011 Retrieved September 9 2011 Romm Tony May 12 2020 Facebook is quietly helping to set up a new pro tech advocacy group to battle Washington The Washington Post Meet Governor Susana Martinez Webcitation org Archived from the original on January 27 2012 Retrieved February 23 2016 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint unfit URL link Local News The Santa Fe New Mexican April 19 2013 Retrieved July 19 2013 Canvass of Returns of General Election PDF Government of New Mexico November 2 2004 Archived from the original PDF on November 30 2008 Retrieved July 28 2023 Rsult012 Archived from the original on November 30 2008 Retrieved May 1 2012 General Election Results for District Attorney Judicial District 03 Government of New Mexico April 1 1996 Archived from the original on November 30 2008 Retrieved July 27 2023 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Susana Martinez Official campaign website Susana Martinez at Curlie Appearances on C SPANParty political officesPreceded byJohn Dendahl Republican nominee for Governor of New Mexico2010 2014 Succeeded bySteve PearcePreceded byBill Haslam Chair of the Republican Governors Association2015 2016 Succeeded byScott WalkerPolitical officesPreceded byBill Richardson Governor of New Mexico2011 2019 Succeeded byMichelle Lujan GrishamU S order of precedence ceremonial Preceded byGary Johnsonas Former Governor Order of precedence of the United StatesWithin New Mexico Succeeded byMike Castleas Former GovernorOrder of precedence of the United StatesOutside New Mexico Succeeded byFife Symingtonas Former Governor Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Susana Martinez amp oldid 1195749018, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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