Palin, shown here speaking at a rally for John McCain in Roswell in October 2008. (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate, will endorse Susana Martinez in New Mexico’s gubernatorial race Sunday at a rally in Albuquerque.
The rally with Palin and Martinez begins at 9 a.m. on Sunday. It’s being held in the Grand Ballroom at the Albuquerque Marriott, 2101 Louisiana Boulevard NE, a source with knowledge of the event confirmed. The event is open to the public, and tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis by calling (800) 460-7245.
Martinez is in a five-way Republican primary battle. Many analysts believe the race is down to Martinez and Allen Weh, who has been able to outspend Martinez nearly 3-1 because he’s pumped $1 million of his own money into his campaign. Martinez, however, has raised more money from individual donors than Weh or any other candidate in the race.
Susana Martinez
Palin’s endorsement is sure to get Martinez a great deal of free media attention and boost her standing with some conservative GOP voters. At least 10,000 people showed up when Palin held a rally for John McCain in Roswell in October 2008.
However, the endorsement from the controversial politician could have the opposite effect in the general election – if Martinez makes it that far. In New Mexico, a Republican has to secure the votes of moderate independents and Democrats to win a statewide race.
Palin has made some high-profile endorsements of female candidates in GOP primary races lately, including that of former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina in a U.S. Senate primary in California.
As Politico reported Friday, Palin’s “political portfolio for the midterm election is beginning to take shape, and the races that interest her appear to share a similar trait – for the most part, they involve a woman on one side of the ballot or the other.
“Already she’s embraced a handful of conservative Republican women in House, Senate and governor’s races across the country, delivering more than just her endorsement – she’s campaigned with them and donated to their campaigns as well.”
And, Politico reported, Palin has targeted Democratic women for defeat in some races across the country.
Palin calls herself a feminist. Politico reported that she recently spoke of a “new conservative feminist movement” and said she feels “a connection to that tough, gun totin’ pioneer feminism.”
Martinez, Dona Ana County’s district attorney, has used her record as a crime fighter to launch her gubernatorial campaign. She’s apparently just the kind of candidate Palin is looking to help.