Martinez, shown here announcing her gubernatorial campaign in July. (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
Not all in GOP are waiting on Heather Wilson, endorsement from prominent Farmington Republican Jack Fortner shows
Republican gubernatorial candidate Susana Martinez has secured a high-profile endorsement from University of New Mexico Regent Jack Fortner, a sign that not all Republicans are waiting for former U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson to decide whether she’s running before they pledge support to other candidates.
Fortner is a Farmington attorney and former San Juan County commissioner whose opinion carries a lot of weight among Republicans in the four corners region of the state.
“She seems like the obvious choice for a candidate who can not only fight for New Mexicans but who can also win the general (election),” Fortner said about Martinez in an interview conducted Tuesday.
Fortner was considering running for governor himself, but said he decided about 10 days ago that, with a daughter in ninth grade, now isn’t the right time. Wilson also has children in grade school, and Fortner said he thinks she’ll make the same decision he did.
“I don’t see Heather getting into the race,” he said. “… Heather is bright and she’s a planner. If Heather was going to get in the governor’s race, she would be in.”
Many Republicans aren’t so certain about that and have resisted backing any of the four declared and likely Republican candidates for governor, at least in part because they’re waiting for a decision from Wilson. The former congresswoman ensured the continuation of that limbo when she said last week that she remains undecided and has no timetable for making a decision.
Martinez isn’t the only candidate to secure an early endorsement despite Wilson’s indecisiveness. Last month, Nathan Krekula, a professor at a Christian university in Hobbs, endorsed former state GOP Chairman Allen Weh in the race. Krekula, a political newcomer, had briefly entered the governor’s race but dropped out shortly before endorsing Weh.
Many are waiting on Wilson
State Sen. Steven Neville, R-Farmington, is among those who are waiting to pledge support for any of the candidates, and he said Wilson is one of the primary reasons.
“If Heather’s not a candidate, then I would probably lean toward Martinez, but I want to see what the field is. There could be another candidate or two,” he said in an interview. “I’m not quite to the point that I’m making an absolute commitment, but I’m quite impressed with (Martinez’s) candidacy.”
Likely Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Turner said he has talked with many who are withholding support of him or anyone else until they know what Wilson plans to do.
“I’ve already called some of these people — who I’ve known for years and I’m friendly with — and I totally respect their position,” he said. “… It would be a stumbling block if you were relying on these folks to fund your race. While I would love for them to fund my race, I don’t have an expectation that they will.”
Martinez said the conversations she’s having with Republicans around the state “include whether or not Heather is going to run,” but noted the Fortner endorsement in saying she is winning support regardless.
“I’m in the race whether Heather decides to enter the race or not, and I’ve had that conversation with her,” Martinez said.
Weh declined to talk specifically about Wilson, but said in a prepared statement that he’s confident in his campaign’s ability to raise enough money to “succeed in a very tough environment” against likely Democratic gubernatorial nominee Diane Denish. The other Republican gubernatorial candidate, state Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones of Albuquerque, could not be reached for comment.
Moving beyond being a regional candidate?
Securing Fortner’s support could be significant for Martinez. She is a powerhouse in Doña Ana County but largely unknown in the rest of the state. Some have referred to her as a regional candidate.
But you can’t get much further from Las Cruces in New Mexico than San Juan County, and Fortner said Martinez will “fit right in” there. He added that other prominent Republicans in San Juan County are set to join him in supporting Martinez.
“I know she understands oil and gas issues, which will be big up here. But she also understands a problem that’s statewide, and that’s the DWI issue and the crime and corruption issue,” he said. “She’s got a tough but fair reputation, and she is the only one who has firsthand experience fighting crime.”
Martinez said she’s pleased with the support she’s received from Fortner and others.
“It moves me from being a regional candidate, with the support in Farmington and the support we’re getting form the southeast part of the state,” Martinez said. “I think people are really seeing how important this race is and how important it is that we come together to win.”