Doña Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez might seek one of the state’s top two jobs in 2010.
State Republican Party Chairman Allen Weh told the Albuquerque Tribune he believes the popular district attorney would make a good attorney general, lieutenant governor or governor. She was one of five rising stars in the party he named.
Martinez told me she isn’t interested in attorney general, and said she was asked but refused to run for the office this year. When I told her that leaves the state’s top two jobs as options, she laughed.
“My focus is going to be on running for re-election for district attorney in two years,” Martinez said. “That is my only focus right now; however, I’m not closing the door to any possibility beyond that.”
Except attorney general, which Martinez said is not as “exciting” a job as district attorney. Regardless, her comments were exactly what you’d expect to hear from someone seriously considering a run for higher office.
Martinez is a popular Republican in a Democratic county. She received 58 percent of the vote in 2004, when she was elected to her third term as district attorney.
Weh told me he believes Martinez would make a strong gubernatorial candidate.
“She’s one of probably 10 people who could be a serious candidate,” he said, adding that, when you consider that former Gov. Gary Johnson wasn’t in politics before he was elected to the top job, “Making the jump from district attorney to governor isn’t impossible.”
Weh sounded most excited about the possibility of U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce running for governor, however.
“He’d be a very tough guy to beat,” Weh said, adding that Martinez would make a strong congressional candidate.
“I can see her running for Congressman Pearce’s seat if he ever vacates it,” Weh said. “That would be a very attractive option for her.”
Weh also mentioned as rising stars in his party Jim Bibb, who ran unsuccessfully for attorney general this year; Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White; and R.J. Berry, a newly elected member of the state House.