New Mexico will elect its first woman governor this November, no matter which party is victorious. Republicans there nominated Susana Martinez, the Doña Ana County district attorney, in that state's primary today. Lt. Gov. Diane Denish was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Gov. Bill Richardson (D) is term-limited.

Martinez's win comes after a late endorsement from Sarah Palin, though she had a healthy list of local backers as well. The RGA said in a release congratulating Martinez that she "brings a proven record of holding government accountable and enforcing the rule of law that contrasts sharply with Diane Denish's failed leadership."

UPDATE: Larry Sabato points out that Martinez may be the first Latina woman nominated by a major party for governor anywhere in the United States. An interesting footnote considering the impact of an immigration law in neighboring Arizona is expected to have on the party's outreach toward Hispanic voters.

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