Susana Martinez
The Republican Governors Association worked behind the scenes to help Susana Martinez win the party’s gubernatorial primary by steering money her way and orchestrating the endorsement from Sarah Palin, the Washington Post blog The Fix is reporting.
In his recap of the winners and losers from the June 1 primaries in three states, including New Mexico, the Post’s Chris Cillizza listed the RGA as a winner because its support for Martinez helped her win the primary.
From the Post:
“The RGA knew it wanted Doña Ana District Attorney Susana Martinez as its nominee in the New Mexico open seat race. They also knew that a Washington-based organization endorsing her might not be a recipe for success in this anti-establishment year. So, they helped steer hundreds of thousands of dollars to her campaign and orchestrated an endorsement from former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. Both moves provided Martinez a significant boost and led to her easy win last night that not only gives Republicans a fighting chance in the Democratic-leaning Land of Enchantment but also gives the party a Hispanic female face to push back against the ‘old, white guy’ image the GOP is currently battling.”
The RGA’s apparent involvement in the primary race was also mentioned on Tuesday on MSNBC’s blog First Read:
“The RGA thinks Martinez, who has Sarah Palin’s backing, has the best shot at flipping this seat,” a posting on that site stated.
The Martinez campaign provided no immediate comment about the reports or the RGA’s involvement in the race.
The RGA didn’t publicly wade into the five-person gubernatorial primary, which Martinez ended up winning with 51 percent of the vote. But the group was quick to issue a statement moments after it became clear Martinez had won.
“Susana Martinez’s historic nomination is great news for New Mexico,” RGA spokesman Tim Murtaugh said in that statement. “She brings a proven record of holding government accountable and enforcing the rule of law that contrasts sharply with Diane Denish’s failed leadership.”
“Martinez promises lower taxes, spending restraint and careful attention to border security,” he said. “Denish represents the putrid practices of the Richardson Administration – higher taxes and government run amok.”
Pete Domenici Jr.
What’s in a name?
Meanwhile, the Fix also listed “political dynasties” as among the losers from the June 1 primary, in part because Pete Domenici Jr. – son of the former U.S. senator – got shellacked in the race Martinez won.
“A famous last name – as we have written recently – Is not what it used to be in politics,” Cillizza wrote. “Three political heirs fell last night: 1) Pete Domenici Jr., son of legendary Sen. Pete Domenici placed fourth in the New Mexico gubernatorial primary with – eek! – seven percent of the vote. 2) Earl Hilliard Jr., son of former Alabama Rep. Earl Hilliard, missed out of the runoff for his father’s old 7th district seat. 3) Businessman Tim James, son of former Alabama Gov. Fob James, appears to have narrowly – 200 votes or so – missed out on making the Republican runoff for governor.”