America’s First Latina Governor, Susana Martinez, Endorses Mitt Romney At RNC Convention [Video]
America’s first Latina governor, Susana Martinez, rocked the house at the Republican National Convention (RNC) last night when she endorsed Mitt Romney. Martinez is one of the many rising stars in the Republican Party who spoke about their personal experiences and vision for the country during the RNC convention in Tampa, Florida.
Following former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her multiple standing ovations was likely a daunting task for the New Mexico governor. Susana Martinez went from being largely unknown on the national stage to a likely household name when she delivered a riveting and inspiring speech at the GOP convention.
Before issuing her official support for Mitt Romney, Susana Martinez shared her personal journey into not only the political realm but her transition from the Democratic to the Republican Party.
New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, like her Latino politician peers Gov. Brian Sandoval of Nevada and Texas Gov. Ted Cruz, focused on the blue-collar past of her family during her RNC Convention speech.
Gov. Martinez came from humble beginnings in an American border town. Martinez’s family reportedly lived paycheck to paycheck before opening up a small security business. Gov. Martinez detailed the time she spent carrying a Smith and Wesson .357 Magnum while she guarded a church parking lot on bingo night for the fledgling family business. Susana Martinez also expanded upon the struggles of the family business, which eventually grew to employ 125 people in three states.
Governor Susana Martinez is quoted as saying during her RNC Convention speech:
“And sure, there was help along the way. But my parents took the risk. They stood up. And you better believe they built it. Too many Americans are out of work, and our debt is out of control. This election needs to be about those issues. Obama promised to bring us all together, to cut unemployment, to pass immigration reform in his first year and even promised to cut the deficit in half in his first term. Do you remember that? But he hasn’t come close.”
New Mexico’s governor also noted she and Mitt Romney do not see “eye to eye” on all issues but added she and Romney both share a deep belief that the “promise of America” must be kept for future generations. During an interview earlier in the campaign, Gov. Susana Martinez stated that now is the time for Republicans to develop comprehensive immigration reform to combat President Barack Obama’s “lack of action” on the matter, according to Fox News.
Governor Susana Martinez has been able to cut the unemployment rate in New Mexico nearly in half to 6.7 percent since taking office in 2010. Gov. Martinez currently has a 50 percent approval rating in New Mexico.
