In light of our conversation today, I was curious to learn more about what Susana Martinez has been doing since the conclusion of her tenure as Governor of New Mexico. In this recent article from September of the year, she spoke out in support of Trump's 2020 campaign for re-election, stating that "It’s very clear to me that the president can win New Mexico but he’s got to go places where Republicans usually don’t go". She seems to support Trump and his strict stance on border control, and cites her own experiences that she discussed in class about traveling to more rural New Mexico cities and garnering democratic support for Republican Legislation. To me this was particularly interesting and an example of her potentially treating the CMC audience as potential voters, as this recent statement was not something she mentioned in either our class discussion or the evening Ath talk.
Article here: https://www.apnews.com/c9b0a3dd1696419dbcb627d21fa86c68
I agree that this is very interesting. When she came to our class, she did mention (more than once) how she won over New Mexico voters by visiting counties that were often ignored by other political candidates. Trump used a strategy in his 2016 Presidential campaign, visiting more rural areas in the Midwest. I think Martinez used her time at CMC to push a personal agenda. Trump's policies, especially those of border control and immigration, affect her state more than others. As a former governor, I am sure that she is still very much part of the political discourse in New Mexico. Despite not holding any immediate power, Susana's connections and the opinions she shares are still valid today, especially with the upcoming election.
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