Gov. Susana Martinez is racking up travel miles in the
aftermath of this year's legislative session, balancing a busy instate schedule
with frequent forays outside New Mexico that some say reflect a rising national
political profile.
The newly elected state Democratic Party chairman accuses the Republican
governor of schmoozing with outof-state campaign donors at a time when the
state's economy is still sluggish, but Martinez's spokesman says she travels out
of state less often than many other governors around the country.
And, despite the recent travel flurry, Martinez's out-of-state time pales in
comparison to that of her predecessor, Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson, who
spent much of 2007 outside New Mexico pursuing a longshot presidential campaign.
"Since (the legislative session), the travel she has done has been for
relatively quick trips so that she does not have to be away from New Mexico for
an extended period of time," Martinez spokesman Enrique Knell said.
"It hasn't impeded her ability to govern the state, and her official duties
always take priority to any political activities," said Knell.
Martinez has also not taken a personal vacation since taking office in January
2011, Knell told the Journal .
The governor's trip this week to Tucson for a business event and campaign
fundraiser was the latest stop in a travel itinerary that has also included
visits to Colorado, Nevada, Washington, D.C., and California -- twice -- in the
past two months.
That's in addition to a March trip to Rome as part of an official U.S.
delegation, led by Vice President Joe Biden, that attended the inaugural Mass
for Pope Francis.
In all, the first-term governor has spent all or part of 14 days outside New
Mexico since the 60-day legislative session ended March 16, according to a
Journal review.
Martinez has held fundraisers for her own 2014 gubernatorial re-election
campaign on at least three of the recent trips. She has attended several
out-of-state political events for Republican causes, including a fundraiser for
U.S. House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.
Longtime New Mexico political analyst Brian Sanderoff said Martinez's travel
schedule reflects a national stature that has grown following her high-profile
speech to the Republican National Convention last year.
Martinez, the nation's first elected Hispanic female governor, traveled out of
state during her first two years as governor, though not as extensively.
"I think she's beginning to spread her political wings," Sanderoff told the
Journal . "She's taking advantage of her prominence in the Republican Party as a
female Hispanic."
Sanderoff noted that the New Mexico law that limits how much money statewide
political candidates can accept from individual donors -- the cap is currently
$5,200 per primary or general election -- makes it difficult to raise funds
solely from in-state contributors.
"New Mexico, being a small state, there's only so much you can raise for your
campaign with the caps," he said.
The Governor's Office described many of the out-ofstate trips as opportunities
to represent New Mexico and said Martinez is highly selective about her travel.
"The governor is regularly invited to take part in out-ofstate events, both
official and political; nearly all of them are declined immediately," Knell
said.
Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman Sam Bregman criticized Martinez's
out-of-state travel, saying the governor should be focused on bolstering the
state's economy, which has legged behind neighboring states in terms of recent
job growth.
"We need a governor focused on job creation, not on traveling out of state to
raise money for herself and her political buddies," Bregman said.
Martinez has spoken frequently about trying to make New Mexico more economically
competitive with neighboring states. The goal has become a prominent part of her
legislative agenda.
The governor touted changes lawmakers enacted earlier this year to the state's
tax structure -- including a cut in the corporate income tax rate -- in speeches
to business groups on at least two of her recent out-of-state trips. Both of
those trips also featured separate reelection campaign fundraisers.
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(c)2013 the Albuquerque Journal (Albuquerque, N.M.)
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