Romney Name-Drops Martinez

Gov. Susana Martinez’s name came up high on Mitt Romney’s list of potential running mates during a national interview Friday, and the New Mexico governor seemed to say no thanks once again.

Responding to a question from Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Romney, one of the candidates for the Republican presidential nomination, said: “Let’s think about governors for a moment. Let’s just go around the country. You got Brian Sandoval in Nevada. You’ve got Susanna (sic) Martinez in New Mexico. Of course, (you’ve) got Chris Christie. You got Nikki Haley in South Carolina. Take me to another state. Bobby Jindal in Louisiana.”

The transcript provided by Romney’s campaign included the misspelling of Susana, the New Mexico governor’s first name.

The former Massachusetts governor went on to list three other Republican governors he would consider as running mates, adding, “There are so many extraordinary governors. I apologize for several names I’ve left off.”

The Romney interview came on the eve of the Republican primary in South Carolina. Martinez’s office later issued a familiar-sounding response.

“As the governor has repeatedly said, she is committed to focusing on turning New Mexico’s economy around and providing for a better education for our kids,” said governor’s spokesman Scott Darnell.

“She has no interest in serving as vice president and will not be a candidate for the position,” Darnell said.

Political pundits started pointing to Martinez as a possible vice presidential pick shortly after her election in 2010, but the governor has invariably said she isn’t interested in pursuing national office during her first, four-year term.

Martinez, a former district attorney in southern New Mexico, is the nation’s first elected female Hispanic governor.

Political observers have suggested she could help the Republican presidential nominee attract Hispanic voters.
— This article appeared on page A1 of the Albuquerque Journal