Gov. Martinez slated to speak at RNC

KRQE TV

Updated: Aug 30, 2012 4:01 PM

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) — Governor Susana Martinez is on a short list of governors named to speak at the Republican National Convention ( RNC ) in Tampa, Florida later this month, but is this a sign that she's a top contender for GOP Presidential candidate Mitt Romney's running mate? Martinez says she still is not interested.

It is no surprise Martinez will speak, she is the first female Hispanic governor in U.S. History.  Now the question is when and how long will she speak?

Martinez will also be joined by South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, the first female governor of South Carolina and the youngest sitting governor in the United States.  In addition former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Ohio Governor John Kasich and Arizona Senator John McCain.

Martinez and any influence she has among Hispanic voters is very much needed. 

President Obama has a big advantage with Hispanics according to a Wall Street Journal-Telemundo poll released in late July. Obama leads Mitt Romney 67 percent to 32 percent, which is identical to the president's support among Hispanics in the 2008 election, when he took 67 percent of the Hispanic vote against GOP candidate John McCain.

Martinez said Monday she is honored to be asked and thinks the GOP must treat this election as she treated her campaign in New Mexico and that means getting into Democratic territory.

"I went everywhere and anywhere and asked Democrats to vote for me without asking them to change their party," Martinez said.

Another big indicator on just how important Martinez is to the Republican party will be when she speaks and how long during the convention.  If she's scheduled  for prime time, that's a big vote of confidence.

The RNC begins August 27th.

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