Sec. of State to serve as acting Gov.

Associated Press

Updated: Aug 24, 2012 1:39 PM

SANTA FE (AP) — Secretary of State Dianna Duran will serve as acting governor when Gov. Susana Martinez and Lt. Gov. John Sanchez are in Florida attending the Republican National Convention.

A spokesman says Duran expects to assume the chief executive's duties and powers Sunday afternoon and will continue as acting governor through part of next Friday.

The GOP convention is scheduled Aug. 27-30 in Tampa.

Duran spokesman Ken Ortiz said the secretary of state will be in frequent contact with Martinez during the week.

Former Secretary of State Mary Herrera was acting governor in 2008 when Gov. Bill Richardson and Lt. Gov. Diane Denish attended the Democratic National Convention.

If the secretary of state also left the state, Senate President Tim Jennings, a Roswell Democrat, is next in line to serve as governor.

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