Susana Martinez is the District Attorney for the 3rd Judicial District in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, a position she has held for 13 years. On July 17, 2009, Martinez entered the race for governor of New Mexico, pledging to cut wasteful spending, lower taxes to create more jobs, end “pay-to-play” practices and other corruption in government and fight to reform education.
The New Mexico media has referred to Susana’s candidacy for governor as a “game changer” and the Las Cruces Sun-News said that she is “someone with real credentials to handle the job of governor.”
Susana was first elected District Attorney in 1996, garnering nearly 60% of the vote. She has been re-elected three times, running unopposed for the office in 2008. She has shown a proven ability to earn the votes of people from all backgrounds – winning several elections as a Republican in a county where Republicans are outnumbered 3 to 1. Susana’s hard work has earned her the respect and support of New Mexicans across the political spectrum as a leader who can bring people together, while fighting for what is right.
Susana has earned a reputation as a tough prosecutor who fights relentlessly for victims and justice. In addition to managing the second largest DA’s office in the state, Susana personally tries some of the toughest cases, including child abuse and child homicide.
In fact, Katie’s Law is named after Katie Sepich, a 22-year old college student whose killer Susana Martinez prosecuted and convicted. The law now requires law enforcement to take DNA for most violent felony arrests and include the samples in a database to help bring criminals to justice.
In 2008, Heart Magazine named Susana “Woman of the Year” for her dedication to children’s advocacy and her efforts to keep children safe.
Susana also has a record of battling public corruption. On her watch, for example, the Doña Ana County Clerk was convicted of five felony charges of violating the election code and a Municipal Court Judge was convicted of voter fraud.
Conservative values and principles guide Susana, which were instilled in her from a young age. She believes in less government, lower taxes, and personal responsibility. She’s pro-life and strongly supports the 2nd Amendment.
Susana comes from a hardworking, middle class family. Her father and mother started a security guard business with $400 in their pocket. They built their business with Susana’s mother in the kitchen doing the paperwork and Susana working as a security guard, while studying in the evenings.
Susana was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley and has made Las Cruces her home since the mid 1980’s. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at El Paso and later earned her law degree from the University of Oklahoma. Her husband, Chuck Franco, continues his three-decade career in law enforcement and currently serves as the Doña Ana County Undersheriff. She has one stepson, Carlo, who is currently serving in the U.S. Navy.
