Gov. Susana Martinez continued what’s becoming a tradition among New Mexico governors — getting pulled over for speeding in her state SUV.
But her driver’s speed — 45 mph in a 35 mph zone — has a ways to go to compete with former Gov. Bill Richardson’s driver, who was reported doing 110 mph on the freeway.
Martinez spokesman Scott Darnell confirmed Thursday that Martinez’s vehicle, driven by a State Police officer, was pulled over in the 4900 block of Pan American Freeway NE in Albuquerque about 12:30 p.m. Friday.
Albuquerque police spokesman Patrick Fricke said Thursday that Martinez’s SUV was spotted by an officer on a normal patrol, pulled over and was let off with a warning. Fricke said verbal warnings are common and the governor’s status had nothing to do with the officer’s decision.
“There was no preferred treatment because the governor was involved,” he said.
Martinez met with a panel of Journal editors and reporters last Friday, and she left shortly after noon.
Richardson was famously documented by a Washington Post reporter as he sped to a fundraiser at 110 mph in 2003. He promised to slow down after an Albuquerque police detective in 2005 gave chase to his SUV for two minutes and called for backup.
That incident ended with the detective saying, “Disregard, it looks like the guv,” to dispatch.
Richardson said that he never allowed his drivers to put the public in harm’s way and that his speeding was often part of security concerns.
Martinez has no comment on the traffic stop in Albuquerque, Darnell said.
— This article appeared on page A1 of the Albuquerque Journal
Reprint story -- Email the reporter at solson@abqjournal.com.
