Sarah Palin Fights Corruption Again with Martinez Pick

(Susana Martinez, future Governor of New Mexico)

Saturday, Governor Palin announced her support for Susana Martinez in the GOP primary race for New Mexico Governor. Heath Haussamen gives a little overview of the race:

Martinez is in a five-way Republican primary battle. Many analysts believe the race is down to Martinez and Allen Weh, who has been able to outspend Martinez nearly 3-1 because he’s pumped $1 million of his own money into his campaign. Martinez, however, has raised more money from individual donors than Weh or any other candidate in the race.

My mother lives in New Mexico and was very pleased when I talked to her about Governor Palin's endorsement of Martinez. She, being a very big fan of Governor Palin and also currently supporting Susana Martinez, thought it was nice to see the two world's collide. She also attended the rally at the Albuquerque Marriott on Sunday morning and enjoyed seeing the governor give a "great speech" yet again. My mother got to see Governor Palin during the 2008 Presidential Election when the McCain campaign stopped over in New Mexico. Living in San Diego, I still have yet to see her give a speech or attend a political event she is involved with.

Tip for SarahPAC: A rally for Carly Fiorina at the Oceanside Pier Amphitheater with Governor Palin would be a great event. It's near Camp Pendleton (lots of Marines... Marines love the Guv.) and it's located in North County which is the more Conservative area of the county. It is the site of the last Tea Party I attended. I'm just throwing that out there, and now I digress...

Anyway, I had a long conversation with my mother about why she was supporting Martinez. One of the biggest issues in New Mexico, as it was in Alaska, is political corruption. After Bill Richardson's stint in that governor's chair, New Mexico is in dire need of clean leadership. Their problems are rooted deep and seem to be widespread. They need someone that has a record as an anti-corruption crusader, as Susana Martinez has.

From the Martinez Campaign website:

Corruption

Public Officials Will Be Held to Account and Integrity in Government Restored

There will be no higher priority in a Martinez Administration than rooting out corruption in Santa Fe and instilling confidence on the part of the voter and taxpayer in their state government. The waste, fraud and abuse of public funds and taxpayer dollars will cease and those involved in exploiting New Mexico citizens will be confronted head on when I am governor.

Identifying and eliminating corruption will require real, substantive changes in the Roundhouse with the first being, Diane Denish no longer serving in state government. Recently and in response to news that the U.S. Department of Justice would not prosecute the Richardson Administration, Lieutenant Governor Denish responded, “It’s good news for New Mexico.” (Release, Diane Denish, 8/27/09)

Denish’s comment was especially troubling because the U.S. Attorney for New Mexico believed “pressure from the governor’s office resulted in the corruption of the procurement process” and pointed out that the lack of indictments “should not be interpreted as exoneration of any party’s conduct in that matter.” (NM Independent, 8/31/09)

The truth is that “pay to play” has become commonplace and part of everyday business in Santa Fe under Diane Denish’s watch and no one believes that “it’s good news for New Mexico.”

A powerful government without checks and balances is ripe for corruption. That’s why I believe we need a smaller government that is open and transparent. As governor, I will support opening conference committees to the public and will use my prosecutorial experience to end “pay to play” in state government.

Here is a clip of Susana Martinez answering a question from a listener to a New Mexico talk show on the topic:


I can see why Governor Palin chose to endorse this candidacy. She, herself having such a strong record of cleaning up corruption and taking on the crooked establishment. Susana Martinez is also pro-life and a very strong advocate of the second amendment, but I think her record as a corruption fighter probably won over Governor Palin the most. The governor's Facebook statement indicates as much:

"I’m proud to endorse Susana Martinez for governor of New Mexico. Susana is a strong pro-family, pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, pro-development fiscal conservative who’s going to fight the corruption that’s plagued her state and bring transparency, accountability, and renewed fiscal vitality to New Mexico.

As a tough district attorney, Susana fights for justice everyday in this promising, beautiful state. Her unwavering commitment to bring justice speaks to her determination and strength of character.

As governor, Susana will lead New Mexico to a new economic vitality based on free market reform that cuts out the cronyism, invites competition, reduces taxes, cuts waste, and creates jobs – all while identifying and rooting out the corruption that has taken hold for too long in this state which deserves so much better!"

Another stellar pick from Governor Palin for this primary season. I sincerely hope this puts Susana Martinez over her competitor. No offense to him, considering I don't know much about the guy, but I understand the need for a strong, anti-corruption, Conservative for the job. Susana Martinez is the person for the job.