Susana Martinez American politician Date of Birth: 14.07.1959 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. Career in the District Attorney's Office
3. Governor of New Mexico
4. Tenure
5. 2014 Re-Election
6. Personal Life

Early Life and Education

Susana Martinez, an American politician, was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. She moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, in the mid-1980s. Martinez pursued her education, graduating valedictorian from Riverside High School in El Paso in 1977. She earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1980 and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1982.

Career in the District Attorney's Office

From 1986 to 1992, Martinez served as an Assistant District Attorney for the 3rd Judicial District of Doña Ana County. In 1996, she was elected as District Attorney for the 3rd Judicial District, receiving almost 60% of the votes. She was re-elected three times. As District Attorney, Martinez focused on cases involving corruption and child abuse.

In 2008, Heart Magazine named Martinez "Woman of the Year" for her advocacy for children. In March 2010, the New Mexico Bar Association's Prosecutors Section named her "Prosecutor of the Year" in New Mexico.

Governor of New Mexico

On June 1, 2010, Martinez was nominated as the Republican candidate for Governor of New Mexico. Her campaign platform included securing the U.S.-Mexico border from illegal immigrants. Diane Denish was the Democratic candidate. In the November 2010 election, Martinez won with 53.3% of the votes, becoming the first female Governor of New Mexico and the first Hispanic woman to serve as Governor in the United States.

Tenure

Martinez is an opponent of abortion and same-sex marriage. She supports a balanced budget and reduced government spending. Martinez has opposed legalizing medical marijuana in New Mexico but has indicated that overturning the existing law is not a priority.

2014 Re-Election

In October 2013, Martinez announced her intention to run for a second term. She had already raised over $2.2 million in campaign contributions, nearly five times the total raised by any of her potential Democratic primary challengers. Martinez faced no Republican opposition. On November 4, 2013, the Democratic nominee emerged as New Mexico Attorney General Gary King, who received 35%. Martinez won the November 4, 2014, election with 57% of the votes, securing a second four-year term.

Personal Life

Martinez is married to Chuck Franco, a former police officer with over 30 years of experience in the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office. She has a stepson, Carlo, who served in the United States Navy.