Susana Martinez

Susana Martinez is an American politician and attorney who served as the 31st governor of New Mexico from 2011 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, she made history as the first female governor of New Mexico and the first Hispanic female governor in the United States. During her tenure, she held the position of chair of the Republican Governors Association from 2015 to 2016. Martinez's career in public service began in law, where she focused on prosecuting cases related to child abuse and public corruption before transitioning into a political role that culminated in her governorship.

Early life and career

Susana Martinez was born on July 14, 1959, in El Paso, Texas, into a middle-class family of Mexican descent. Her father, Jacobo "Jake" Martinez, was a notable figure, having served as a boxer for the U.S. Marines during the Korean War and winning three consecutive Golden Gloves titles in the 1950s. He later worked as a deputy sheriff for El Paso County. Her mother, Paula Aguirre, held various office jobs. Martinez has two siblings, a sister and a brother. She took on the role of legal guardian and caretaker for her older sister, Letitia "Lettie" Martinez, who had cerebral palsy and was developmentally disabled until Lettie's passing in 2021. Additionally, Martinez is a great-granddaughter of Toribio Ortega, a general in the Mexican Revolution.

Martinez attended Riverside High School in El Paso, where she was an active participant in student government and various clubs. She was elected student body president in her senior year and graduated as the valedictorian of her class in 1977. Following high school, she pursued a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Texas at El Paso, which she completed in 1981. She then moved to Oklahoma to attend the University of Oklahoma College of Law, earning her Juris Doctor degree in 1986.

After being admitted to the State Bar of New Mexico, Martinez began her career in law as an Assistant District Attorney for the 3rd Judicial District, which serves Doña Ana County, New Mexico. During her time as an Assistant District Attorney from 1986 to 1992, she specialized in cases involving sexually abused children and was instrumental in forming a multidisciplinary team to provide support for victims. Her work included participation in seminars addressing domestic violence and sexual offenses. She was later promoted to Deputy District Attorney in 1992.

Martinez's career in the District Attorney's office was marked by a significant challenge when she was dismissed from her position but subsequently returned. After helping her former boss, Doug Driggers, campaign for re-election, she faced a setback when he lost the Democratic primary to Gregory Valdez, a defense attorney. Valdez terminated Martinez shortly after taking office, which led her to file a wrongful termination lawsuit against him. She received a settlement as a result of this legal action. Martinez later ran for the position of District Attorney herself, winning the election in 1996 with a substantial majority of the vote. She was re-elected three more times, serving until 2011. Throughout her tenure as District Attorney, she focused on public corruption and child abuse cases and advocated for legislative changes, including the expansion of Katie's Law, which mandated DNA samples for felony arrests.

Governorship

In 2010, following the term limit of then-incumbent Governor Bill Richardson, Martinez announced her candidacy for the governorship of New Mexico. She secured the Republican nomination in a competitive primary election, garnering 51% of the vote against four other candidates. Her campaign received notable endorsements, including one from former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. In the general election held on November 2, 2010, Martinez faced Diane Denish, the then lieutenant governor of New Mexico. Martinez won the election with 53% of the vote, translating to a margin of over 40,000 votes. This election was significant as it marked one of the few instances in U.S. history where two women competed for the governorship.

Martinez's first term as governor began in January 2011. She focused on various issues, including economic development, education reform, and public safety. In 2014, she announced her intention to run for re-election, having raised a considerable amount of campaign funds. Facing no opposition in the Republican primary, she went on to defeat her Democratic challenger, State Attorney General Gary King, in the general election held on November 4, 2014. Martinez secured approximately 57% of the vote in this election, further solidifying her position in New Mexico politics.

Policy focus and legacy

During her time in office, Martinez prioritized several key areas, including economic growth, education, and public safety. She aimed to create a business-friendly environment in New Mexico, advocating for tax reforms and regulatory changes intended to attract new businesses to the state. Her administration also focused on improving the education system, with initiatives aimed at enhancing teacher performance and student outcomes.

Martinez's commitment to public safety was evident in her support for legislation aimed at addressing crime and enhancing law enforcement capabilities. Her background as a prosecutor informed her approach to these issues, and she worked to pass laws that expanded the state's ability to combat various forms of crime, including child abuse and domestic violence.

In recognition of her influence and leadership, Martinez was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2013. Her tenure as governor concluded in 2019, and she left office having made significant contributions to the political landscape of New Mexico. As a trailblazer for women and Hispanic leaders in politics, her governorship is noted for breaking barriers and serving as a model for future generations of leaders.