Susana Martinez Inaugural Send-Off Gala

Susana Martinez began her journey to Sante Fe Thursday, but in the southern half of the state.

Her family lives in Las Cruces and Dona Ana County has known her as the Third Judicial District Attorney for the past 14 years. These strong ties to the community are the very reason New Mexico Governor-Elect Martinez said she wanted to start her inaugural weekend surrounded by those who have been beside her from the beginning.

“I want to be rooted in the city I chose to be my home,? Martinez said. ?My sister and family live in El Paso and here in Las Cruces. We’ll be traveling back and fourth quite a bit, and I want to remember where it started.”

In the place it all began, Martinez spent her final hours at home in Las Cruces before officially take office as the State?s Chief Executive.

An exclusive crowd of nearly 1,200 friends, co-workers and loved ones came to wish her ?good luck? inside the new Las Cruces Convention Center off University Ave.

Stepping down as District Attorney and into her new position of Governor carries daunting challenges.

First priority, Martinez said, is balancing New Mexico?s $400Million deficit. She plans to cut excess luxuries and eliminate wasteful spending, Martinez said.

“One of the examples we’re letting you know about, is for example, there are two chefs at the mansion on the permanent employment list? we won’t have personal chefs at the mansion,? Martinez said. ?Another one is a jet, a $5.5Million jet is up for sale. Those kinds of symbols or those kinds of excess will not exist under a Martinez administration.?

Next in line is education reform. Public education in New Mexico currently ranks 49th in the nation, Martinez said. But Education is a problem money is not going to solve, Martinez said. Instead, it is time New Mexico stops accepting low expectations, Martinez said.

“I want to fight for kids and families, whether it means better educating our kids or making sure the adults in the family are working,? Martinez said. ?Those are the two things that are most important to me – that kids are safe, educated, and when they grow up they can find a job here in our state.”

The biggest message she wants to send young students looking up to her is ?anything is possible if they set their goals high,? as she did, and ?never stop fighting,? Martinez said.

Martinez?s inauguration is at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Santa Fe Plaza.