Nina Martinez
Nina Martinez says she won’t drop out of the race to become chair of the Republican Party of New Mexico even though a number of GOP elected officials are backing her opponent.
“I have no intention of dropping out of the race for RPNM state chairman. This is a lifelong goal for me,” Martinez, the party’s current first vice chair, wrote in an e-mail.
Earlier this week, Gov.-elect Susana Martinez (no relation), Congressman-elect Steve Pearce and others signed a letter to the party’s delegates urging them to make former Hobbs Mayor Monty Newman the chairman when they meet Saturday. But Nina Martinez said Newman “has not been active in the party and isn’t even a member of the state central committee. He can’t even vote for himself or any other officers on Saturday.”
“In my calls to state central committee members, I’ve learned that they want a choice this Saturday,” she said. “Gov.-elect Martinez and Rep. Pearce may support any candidate they wish, but the state party rules are clear: The state central committee has responsibility to vote and elect their next state chairman.”
Newman: It’s time for ‘fresh eyes and fresh ears’
Newman is a former congressional candidate and vice president of the National Association of Realtors, and the elected officials cited his fundraising ability in their letter to delegates. In an interview, Newman said he decided to seek the chairmanship after being asked to consider it and talking with others including outgoing Chairman Harvey Yates Jr., Susana Martinez, and Pearce.
“This is a great time, a great opportunity for Republicans, and I’d like to be a part of it,” he said.
As to Nina Martinez’s pointing out that he’s not a member of the state central committee, Newman said he would bring a “fresh set of eyes and ears” to the party.
“Sometimes it is time for fresh eyes and fresh ears, and sometimes it’s not,” he said. “The committee will make that decision.”
But Newman said he doesn’t expect Nina Martinez to drop out of the race.
“I have a great deal of respect for Nina. I would not ask her to withdraw,” he said. “I do think that choice is very important to the process.”
Martinez: ‘I’m the most qualified candidate’
Nina Martinez has worked her way up in the party. She said she registered as a Republican in San Miguel County when she was 18 and has since served as precinct chair, county secretary, and in other positions.
“Now I’m ready to fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming state chair and securing a Republican majority in the N.M. state Legislature,” she said. “I believe I’m the most qualified candidate.”
“I share the passion of Gov.-elect Martinez in having and working hard toward a lifelong goal,” Nina Martinez said. “I look forward to working with her, Rep. Pearce and the Republican leadership to build on our successes of 2010.”