Susana Martinez possible presidential campaign, 2016
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 Susana Martinez |
Current Governor of New Mexico (2011-Present) District Attorney (1997-2011) |
 Republican candidate: |
2028 • 2024 • 2020 • 2016 |
This page was current as of the 2016 election.
- See also: Susana Martinez
Susana Martinez was considered a potential Republican candidate for the office of President of the United States in 2016. Martinez is the Governor of New Mexico. She was first elected in 2010, and she won re-election in 2014. Martinez is New Mexico's first female governor and the nation's first female, Hispanic governor.[1][2] According to National Journal reporter Daniel Libit, "Republicans regularly mention her as a future vice presidential candidate, if not something loftier. Martinez was on Mitt Romney's veep short list last year, and she delivered a widely praised prime-time speech at the Republican convention in Tampa about the importance of political courage."[3] Seventeen governors have served as president.[4]
On the issues
Economic and fiscal
Taxes
- In 2014, the Cato Institute gave Susana Martinez a fiscal policy grade of "B." According to the report, Martinez "has pursued tax cuts to make New Mexico more economically competitive. In 2012 she signed a bill reducing gross receipts taxes on inputs to construction and manufacturing, and she has called for exempting 40,000 small businesses from the gross receipts tax. Her biggest tax policy success was pushing through a cut to the corporate income tax rate from 7.6 to 5.9 percent, phased in over five years."[5]
- In January 2014, Martinez proposed expanding the Angel Investment Tax Credit to increase start-ups in New Mexico. She proposed allowing "investors to invest in more companies, and increase the cap from $750,000 to $2 million," according to Albuquerque Business First.[6]
Government regulations
- Susana Martinez created the Small Business-Friendly Task Force "to examine the process of regulations and rules from state agencies and departments to determine how, without jeopardizing the environment, health, safety or welfare of New Mexicans, rescinding or revising a rule or regulation could better improve the environment for small businesses in the state."[7]
- Martinez "streamlined the process for air quality permit approvals. Implemented a system allowing contractors and architects to submit construction plans online, saving time and money for countless small businesses," according to her campaign website.[8]
- In 2011, Martinez "issued an executive order to suspend pending and proposed regulations for 90 days while they are reviewed by a task force," according to The Los Alamos Monitor.[9]
International trade
- In March 2015, Susana Martinez spoke at the 2015 SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland "to make the case that New Mexico, and especially the southern portion of the state, are becoming ever-more important players when it comes to international trade, agriculture and industry," according to The Las Cruces Sun-News.[10]
- During her 2015 state of the state speech, Martinez said, "On our watch, exports to Mexico are at an all-time high; we’ve been ranked number one in the nation in export growth. In Santa Teresa, our border port is thriving. New Mexico is poised to become a key trade route between the U.S. and Mexico, Central America, and South America."[11]
Budgets
- In 2014, the Cato Institute gave Susana Martinez a fiscal policy grade of "B." According to the report, "Governor Martinez scores above average on spending and has pushed major tax reforms. Her proposed general fund spending increases have averaged a modest 2.4 percent in recent years."[5]
- In February 2011, Martinez pushed to increase private funding for the Spaceport America project. She said, "I believe that with the right leadership and the right approach, the spaceport can be a successful venture that brings jobs to New Mexico. New Mexico's taxpayers have made a significant investment in the Spaceport project. It's time to see the project through to completion by bringing in private funding."[12]
- After taking office, Martinez "sold the state’s luxury jet, along with other state planes."[13]
Federal assistance programs
- In August 2014, Susana Martinez proposed re-imposing and broadening "work-related requirements on low-income New Mexicans to qualify for food stamps." The state planned "to restore a 20-hour-a-week work requirement for an estimated 26,600 childless adults to get food stamps," according to Fox Business.[14]
- In March 2014, Martinez's administration created a rule which prohibited "welfare recipients from using their cash assistance cards at gambling establishments, liquor stores and strip clubs," according to The Albuquerque Journal.[15]
- During her 2013 State of the State speech, after Martinez announced the expansion of Medicaid in New Mexico she said, "But I‟ve been clear: Medicaid expansion is a federal government commitment and if they should ever break their funding promise, New Mexico will not pick up the burden of adults most recently added to the program at the expense of cutting health care for New Mexico kids. I will not let those kids pay the price."[16]
Labor and employment
- In January 2015, Susana Martinez expressed her support for "right-to-work" legislation. According to the Las Cruces Sun-News, "Martinez told an Albuquerque business audience it's wrong to require union membership in order to get a job or to take money from workers' paychecks 'by force.'"[17]
Domestic
Federalism
Judiciary
- Susana Martinez appointed J. Miles Hanisee to the New Mexico Court of Appeals in July 2011. She said, "Mr. Hanisee has dedicated his career to serving our state and our country. As an Assistant United States Attorney, he demonstrated a commitment to keeping New Mexico’s families safe and delivering justice to those who chose to break the law. I am confident that Mr. Hanisee’s commitment to the law and his experience as a federal prosecutor make him extremely worthy to serve on the Court of Appeals on behalf of the people of New Mexico."[18]
Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
| "Susana Requalifies for Concealed Carry," August 28, 2011. |
- In August 2011, Susana Martinez "received perfect scores on recertification for her concealed-carry permit...She scored 100 percent with both .38- and .45-caliber handguns," according to the Las Cruces Sun-News.[19]
- According to the Washington Examiner, Martinez, "supports a national gun registry to prevent sales to people with proven histories of mental illness."[20]
Crime and justice
- According to Susana Martinez's official website, "Keeping New Mexicans Safe" is one of Martinez's top four priorities. Martinez supports enforcing Katie's Law, creating "stiffer penalties for repeat DWI offenders and for the crime of public corruption" and providing "adequate funding to New Mexico’s correctional facilities."[21]
- During her 2011 State of the State Address, Martinez argued for reinstatement of the death penalty. She said, "When a monster rapes and murders a child or a criminal kills a police officer, the death penalty should be an option for the jury."[22]
- According to Martinez's official website, "As district attorney, Martinez successfully prosecuted and convicted the killer of 22-year-old college student Katie Sepich, after whom 'Katie’s Law' is named." Katie's Law, "requires a DNA sample to be taken from anyone arrested for a violent felony in New Mexico." As governor, Martinez fought to expand the law "to require a DNA sample for all felony arrests. The expansion passed through the legislature with large bipartisan support and was signed into law by Governor Martinez in April 2011."[23]
Natural resources
Cap and trade
- In 2011, Susana Martinez "issued an executive order to suspend...a cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."[24]
- The New Mexico Supreme Court overturned her executive order, according to The New York Times.[25]
- During her 2010 campaign, Martinez expressed her opposition to "cap and tax."[26]
Healthcare
- During her 2013 State of the State address, Susana Martinez said, "I didn't support Obamacare. But it‟s the law of the land. The election is over and the Supreme Court has ruled. My job is not to play party politics, but to implement this law in a way that best serves New Mexico. That‟s why, last week, I announced we will expand Medicaid to cover up to 170,000 more low-income New Mexicans. It was the right thing to do. It means expanding the health care safety net to more of those in need and moving care from costly emergency rooms into primary care offices. And, it does not jeopardize the state‟s long-term budget outlook. In fact, given our unique population and programs, we can expect revenue increases that offset the cost of providing these services."[16]
Immigration
- Since taking office, Susana Martinez has argued that the New Mexico law allowing undocumented immigrants to get drivers licenses should be repealed. On February 13, 2015, Martinez posted the following comments on her Facebook page: "I'm pleased that the New Mexico House of Representatives voted yesterday to repeal the law that gives driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. I hope the state Senate will give this bill an up-or-down vote -- it's time that we finally repeal this dangerous law!"[27][28][29]
- In a November 2014 op-ed, Martinez wrote, "Illegal immigrants who committed crimes used to flock to New Mexico to seek sanctuary. One of my first actions as governor was putting an end to the 'Sanctuary State' policy, and now our state police can inquire about the immigration status of anyone arrested for committing a crime. Today, our state is safer because we put an end to this dangerous policy. We have also cracked down on fraud, busting elaborate operations that provided hundreds of driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants from around the globe. As a result of our action, we have seen a 31 percent drop in illegal immigrants obtaining licenses."[30]
- In January 2011, Martinez "signed an executive order rescinding sanctuary status for illegal immigrants who commit crimes in New Mexico while protecting victims and witnesses of criminal acts. The order signed by Governor Martinez directs law enforcement officers to inquire about the immigration status of those who are arrested for committing crimes," according to a press release from her office.
- Martinez released the following statement about the executive order: "This order takes the handcuffs off of New Mexico’s law enforcement officers in their mission to keep our communities safe. The criminal justice system should have the authority to determine the immigration status of all criminals, regardless of race or ethnicity, and report illegal immigrants who commit crimes to federal authorities. Meanwhile, it is important that we safeguard the ability of victims and witnesses to report crimes to law enforcement officers without fear of repercussion."[31]
Education
| "Susana Martinez says she's pro-teacher," November 7, 2013. |
- During her 2013 State of the State address, Susana Martinez requested that the New Mexico State Legislature approve her request for "$11.3 million to recruit, retain, and reward our best educators."[16]
- In December 2013, Martinez proposed "a 10 percent salary hike for new teachers and stipends for educators who score highly on state-mandated evaluations," according to The Albuquerque Journal. Martinez said, "Those who are most effective with their students should be rewarded and recognized financially."[32]
- In March 2011, Martinez "signed Senate Bill 427 into law, creating a transparent A-F school grading system for New Mexico’s schools," according to a press release. She said, "The first step to ensuring every student has access to a quality education is establishing a strong foundation of accountability and transparency. This common-sense reform is a victory for all of us who believe that parents, students, and community members have a right to know how their schools are performing. Assigning a simple letter grade to New Mexico’s schools provides a clear picture of which ones are succeeding, which ones are failing and how we can best target resources to the schools and students most in need of help."[33]
- According to her campaign website, "Martinez strongly supports charter schools."[34]
Abortion
- In 2015, Mike Lonergan, Susana Martinez's spokesman, said Martinez "is pro-life, which would of course include opposition to late-term abortions." He also said Martinez "believes parents should be notified before a minor can have an abortion," according to The New York Times.[35]
- In June 2014, Protest ABQ, an anti-abortion group, criticized Martinez for not doing enough to protect the lives of the unborn. Tara Shaver, a spokeswoman for Protect ABQ, said, "She has power; she’s just not willing to use it and it’s very disappointing, especially because she’s saying she’s pro-life. That’s why we are holding her to a higher standard, because she has made that claim, yet she hasn’t done anything."[36]
- In response, Enrique Knell, a Martinez spokesman, said, "The governor has been crystal clear that she is pro-life. … She isn’t going to be bullied by a small group of fringe protesters within the pro-life movement."[36]
- The Susan B. Anthony List endorsed Martinez during her 2010 campaign. SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said, "As a district attorney, Susana Martinez has worked to protect children and families while Diane Denish, an honorary board member of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL), opposes commonsense parental notification laws which ensure that parents are notified if their underage daughter seeks an abortion. We are proud to support Susana Martinez’s candidacy for Governor because she is the better candidate for women and families across New Mexico."[37]
Gay rights
- In February 2012, after an openly gay hairdresser refused to cut Susana Martinez's hair because of her opposition to same-sex marriage, "Scott Darnell, a spokesman for Martinez, said: 'The governor has been very clear that she does not support gay marriage but does believe that all people should be judged on their merits and not discriminated against,'" according to NBC News.[38]
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term Susana + Martinez + 2016
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ New Mexico Independent, "Martinez beats Denish, becoming first NM woman governor," November 3, 2010
- ↑ New Mexico Secretary of State, "General Election - November 4, 2014," accessed April 11, 2015
- ↑ National Journal, “The Man Who Discovered Susana Martinez Could Also Be Her Downfall," November 21, 2013
- ↑ Center on the American Governor, "The Governors Who Became President: Brief Biographies," accessed October 30, 2013
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Cato Institute, "Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors," accessed January 14, 2015
- ↑ Albuquerque Business First, "Martinez unveils proposals to boost startup investment," January 3, 2014
- ↑ New Mexico Governor, "Small Business-Friendly Task Force," accessed January 14, 2015
- ↑ Susana Martinez, "Jobs/Economy," accessed January 14, 2015
- ↑ L.A. Monitor, "Martinez suspends pending NM agency regulations," January 2, 2011
- ↑ The Las Cruces Sun-News, "NM Gov. Susana Martinez in Washington, D.C. for trade summit," accessed April 12, 2015
- ↑ KOAT.com, "Full Text: Gov. Susana Martinez's 2015 State of the State address," accessed April 12, 2015
- ↑ Cibola Beacon, "Martinez pushes private funds for spaceport," February 15, 2011
- ↑ Susana Martinez, "Budget Reform," accessed January 14, 2015
- ↑ Fox Business, "Gov. Susana Martinez proposes to restore work requirement for some food stamp recipients," accessed April 12, 2015
- ↑ ABQ Journal, "New rule restricts use of welfare cards," April 14, 2014
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Governing.com, "New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez's 2013 State of the State Speech," accessed April 13, 2015
- ↑ Las Cruces Sun-News, "Gov. Martinez backs 'right-to-work' proposals for New Mexico," January 9, 2015
- ↑ Governor of New Mexico, "Governor Susana Martinez Appoints Former Federal Prosecutor J. Miles Hanisee to New Mexico Court of Appeals," accessed April 13, 2015
- ↑ Las Cruces Sun-News, "NM governor gets perfect score on renewal of her concealed-carry permit (12:36 p.m.)," accessed April 13, 2015
- ↑ Washington Examiner, "Best of 2013: Is New Mexico's Susana Martinez a Republican VP candidate?" January 1, 2014
- ↑ Governor of New Mexico, "Keeping New Mexicans Safe," accessed April 13, 2015
- ↑ KOAT.com, "Susana Martinez's Full State Of The State Speech," accessed April 15, 2015
- ↑ Governor of New Mexico, "Meet Governor Susana Martinez," accessed April 13, 2015
- ↑ L.A. Monitor, "Martinez suspends pending NM agency regulations," January 2, 2011
- ↑ New York Times, "New Mexico Governor Rushes to Undo the Agenda of Her Predecessor," August 29, 2011
- ↑ YouTube.com, "Susana Martinez on cap and trade," accessed April 13, 2015
- ↑ New York Times, “Governor of New Mexico, and Now an Envoy for Republicans," February 24, 2013
- ↑ Facebook.com, "Susana Martinez'," accessed April 13, 2015
- ↑ New Mexico Legislature, "HB 32," accessed April 13, 2015
- ↑ Washington Times, "Washington Must Act on Immigration," accessed April 13, 2015
- ↑ New Mexico Governor, “Governor Susana Martinez Rescinds New Mexico Sanctuary Status," accessed January 14, 2015
- ↑ The Albuquerque Journal, "Governor proposes 10% pay hike for new teachers," accessed April 14, 2015
- ↑ New Mexico, "Governor Susana Martinez Signs Landmark Education Reform Legislation," accessed April 14, 2015
- ↑ Susana Martinez, "Education Reform," accessed April 14, 2015
- ↑ The New York Times, "New Mexico Bills Seek Late-Term Abortion Ban, Parent Notice," accessed April 14, 2015
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 The Albuquerque Journal, "Anti-abortion activists target Martinez," accessed April 14, 2015
- ↑ SBAList.org, "SBA List Endorses Susana Martinez Against EMILY's List Pick For Governor of New Mexico," accessed April 14, 2015
- ↑ NBC News, "Stylist to anti-gay marriage governor: No haircut for you," accessed April 14, 2015
