Keith Gardner
House Minority Whip Keith Gardner, R-Roswell, put his support behind Susana Martinez’s campaign for governor today.
“I believe it’s important that Republicans support the one candidate who not only shares our conservative values, but can also defeat Diane Denish,” Gardner said in a news release. “That person is clearly Susana Martinez.”
“She has won elections in a county where Republicans are outnumbered nearly three to one,” he said. “New Mexicans will not be fooled by candidates attempting to dramatically re-invent themselves for this election. Susana Martinez is authentic and has a proven record fighting for New Mexicans.”
Martinez said she’s proud to have Gardner’s support.
“As an elected leader in the House Republican caucus, Keith is someone who understands how important it is to elect a governor who will fight against those in Santa Fe who want to continue to grow government and saddle our children and grandchildren with massive debt,” Martinez said. “I look forward to working with Keith in the months ahead to communicate our message of accountability and reform to every voter in our great state.”
Martinez is competing in the GOP primary against one of Gardner’s colleagues — state Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones – in addition to public relations professional Doug Turner and former state GOP Chairman Allen Weh. Weh was recently endorsed by former state Sen. Don Kidd.
The Republicans are battling for the right to take on Denish, a Democrat, next November.