Election Day 2014: Martinez defends throne against King

Fulfilling promises propelled Republican Susana Martinez to re-election as governor of New Mexico in the 2014 campaign.

In front of adoring fans at the Marriott Hotel at Uptown, Martinez spoke with a mix of Spanish and English to the GOP election party for roughly 13 minutes after Democratic challenger Gary King’s concession.

“I stand here tonight, humbled by your confidence and grateful for your trust,” Martinez said. “I hope that tonight’s results speak for themselves. Promises made and promises kept.”

In Martinez’s acceptance speech, she said the problems she would like to address are here in New Mexico, not in Washington D.C. The crowd’s cheers were also a combination of Spanish and English following Martinez being named the first Hispanic female to be reelected as a state governor.

Martinez said her campaign had to fight for every vote because members were no longer voting for affiliated parties, but were voting for leaders.

“We want leaders who chose reform and not the status quo,” Martinez said. “It’s important that everyone who believed in New Mexico voted. It’s important for everyone for people like me, to believe that tomorrow will be better than today.”

King thanked his supporters in his speech at the DoubleTree in Downtown Albuquerque but said New Mexico has important issues to address.

"I think that there is a lot that needs to be with regards to our schools," he said. "I think that there's a lot that needs to be done with regard to our children in New Mexico."

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Liam Cary-Eaves is a staff reporter for the Daily Lobo, and Moriah Carty is the assistant culture editor. They can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @DailyLobo.