Gov. Susana Martinez got a little bit of national TV time during the RNC on Monday, as she helped pledge the state’s delegates to Donald Trump minutes before he formally clinched the Republican nomination.
Martinez, who clashed with Trump in the past, appeared shortly on TV before handing off the mic to another delegate, conservative activist Samuel LeDoux, to pledge the state’s votes to Trump.
“I am Governor Susana Martinez. I am proud to represent a beautiful, exciting and a culture that is so diverse,” Martinez said. “An amazing state. The Land of Enchantment and the great state of New Mexico.”
Martinez then handed off the microphone to LeDoux.
“I’m proud to stand next to the nation’s first female, Hispanic governor,” LeDoux said. “She’s the reason why I’m such a committed Republican and we are proud to cast New Mexico’s 24 votes to the next president of the United States, Donald J. Trump!”
It’s unclear if the appearance means that Martinez endorsed the Republican presidential candidate. An email to Martinez’s spokesmen asking about this went unreturned Tuesday.
The Democratic Party of New Mexico responded and was, as one would expect, not pleased with Martinez’s, admittedly minor, role in the nomination of Trump.
“Governor Martinez is playing games,” said Debra Haaland, Chairwoman of the Democratic Party of New Mexico said. “It’s disingenuous and disrespectful to New Mexico that she won’t denounce Donald Trump and instead continues to stay on the sidelines, while Trump pushes dangerous policy ideas that risk the safety and economic future of our country.”
The Washington Post wrote it looked like the end of the feud between Martinez and Trump.
“To be clear, Martinez didn’t have to be on the floor of the convention, and she didn’t have to play a role in announcing her state’s vote for Trumps,” the paper wrote. “Trump won all of New Mexico’s delegates after winning its June 7 primary with 70 percent of the vote, one of his highest win margins of the primary.”
Local New Mexico reporters, however, noted that Martinez handed the mic to LeDoux for the formal nomination.
Big moment for @LeDouxUSA announcing 24 NM delegates for Trump at #RNCinCLE Noteworthy that Gov. Susana Martinez handed off duties. #nmpol
— Dan Boyd (@DanBoydNM) July 19, 2016
#NM @Gov_Martinez at #RNCinCLE, doesn't announce votes for @realDonaldTrump, hands off announcement pic.twitter.com/LddgxLhWsL
— Russell Contreras (@RussContreras) July 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/steveterrell/status/755538208037888000
In a May Albuquerque rally, Trump went after Martinez. She did not attend the rally. Other Republicans came to Martinez’s aid.
A Republican Governors Association video featuring Martinez played in the arena Monday, the first day of the convention.
U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, meanwhile, met a celebrity. Pearce took a selfie with infamous boxing promoter Don King and fellow U.S. Rep Roger Williams, R-Texas.
My friend Congressman Roger Williams was with Don King. They flagged me down to join their picture. #RNCinCLE #NMPol pic.twitter.com/MgGq0YRfw9
— Steve Pearce (@Pearce4NM) July 20, 2016
King is from Cleveland. Trump reportedly wanted King to speak at the convention, but advisers said King should not speak because of his conviction for manslaughter after killing a man during a fight in 1966. Ohio Governor Jim Rhodes pardoned King in 1983.
Debbie Maestas, meanwhile, grabbed a photo with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who ran for president this year.
NMGOP Chairman Debbie Maestas met @GovChristie tonight! #RNCinCLE #nmpol pic.twitter.com/ePqV0c8wBB
— Republican Party of New Mexico (@NewMexicoGOP) July 20, 2016
