SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Republican Gov. Susana Martinez says she welcomes the attention New Mexico will get when the GOP presidential candidates begin campaigning in the state.
Still, Martinez — the chair of the national Republican Governors Association — doesn't plan on making an endorsement.
Her office made the statement after hopefuls Ted Cruz and John Kasich defended their new alliance as the party's last, best chance to stop Donald Trump. They're coordinating strategies in three of the 15 remaining primary states.
Kasich will step back in the May 3 Indiana contest to let Cruz bid without interference for voters who don't like Trump. Cruz will do the same for Kasich in contests in New Mexico and Oregon.
Martinez says she hopes the candidates will address issues important to New Mexico, such as its federal laboratories and military bases.