Martinez, often mentioned as a possible GOP vice presidential pick, plans to join Rubio on the trail in Kansas on Friday. | AP Photo N.M. Gov. Susana Martinez to endorse Rubio

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez on Thursday says she will endorse Marco Rubio for the GOP nomination, giving the Florida senator a badly needed piece of good news during a rough period of his campaign.

“Marco Rubio is a compelling leader who can unite the country around conservative principles that will improve the lives of all Americans,” she said in a statement. “The stakes for our great country are too high — and the differences between the candidates too great — for me to remain neutral in this race. I wholeheartedly trust Marco to keep us safe and ensure a better tomorrow.”


Martinez, often mentioned as a possible GOP vice presidential pick, plans to join Rubio on the trail in Kansas on Friday and at a rally in Jacksonville, Florida, on Saturday. Kansas holds its GOP presidential caucus on Saturday and Florida, Rubio’s must-win home state, votes March 15.

Martinez, the chair of the Republican Governors Association, wouldn’t commit on Tuesday to voting for Donald Trump if he’s the GOP nominee, and she’s criticized him for past comments on Mexican immigrants.

New Mexico holds its primary very late in the cycle on June 7.

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