Martinez, N.M. to be in national spotlight

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Prime time will be Gov. Susana Martinez’s time at the Republican National Convention Wednesday night.

The governor is set to address the convention in Tampa a little after 8 p.m. MDT.

She is scheduled to speak right after Condoleezza Rice and right before vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan.

Martinez is expected to highlight her rise from modest beginnings and her accomplishments in New Mexico.

Political science professor Gabe Sanchez says that while the speech will bring some short-term attention to the state, Republican leaders are hoping the governor helps the GOP with an image problem.

“If you ask me what are the two groups that Romney’s having the most difficult time garnering support from, it's Hispanics and women, and our Governor Martinez has both of those things going for her,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez says the speech could also jumpstart a future career for Martinez in national politics.

"When you get a chance in primetime to have one-on-one direct contact with a lot of voters, particularly her own party, it's a huge opportunity for her to showcase as a potential leader on the national scene," Sanchez said. "If the Republicans don't win [in November], they're obviously going to be looking for fresh faces in 2016, and she's going to be among the short list of folks who can do that."

Scott Darnell, a Martinez spokesman, told KRQE News 13 that Martinez does not have any national political aspirations for 2016.