Gov. Martinez Working on Speech Instead of Appearances

TAMPA, Fla. — New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez was keeping a low profile here Monday ahead of a prime-time speech to the Republican National Convention that will likely be seen by millions of Americans.

Martinez, one of seven toptier speakers at this year’s convention, was initially scheduled to speak tonight, but has since been rescheduled to Wednesday night. Martinez will speak immediately after former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and before Rep. Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney’s vice presidential running mate.

The governor will speak about her life story and making the American dream available to all Americans, a Martinez aide said Tuesday. The speech is expected to air live, starting at about 8 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.

Keith Gardner, the governor’s chief of staff, told me Martinez, who arrived in Tampa on Sunday night, has been working on her convention address and keeping public appearances to a minimum. The strategy disappointed some New Mexico delegates to the convention, who had hoped to see her at Monday’s kickoff luncheon. Many of the New Mexicans arrived here Saturday and Sunday.

The delegation on Monday attended the luncheon, sponsored by United Health Care at the Davis Islands Garden Club in Tampa. Gardner and Martinez’s husband — Chuck Franco — made an appearance at Monday’s lunch.

During brief remarks to the delegates, Franco said the governor would “make New Mexico proud” Wednesday night.

Not everyone shared the view that Martinez should be spending more time with the delegation. After all, the governor is scheduled to make a speech to a national audience on Wednesday.

“I think she’s right where she needs to be — preparing,” said Elaine Henderson, an alternate delegate from Albuquerque. “She’s going to be on national television with millions of people watching.”

Contact Michael Coleman at mcoleman@abqjournal.com