When I was a young prosecutor, I got called to testify against my boss. I could have backed down, but I didn't. I stood up to him. And he fired me for it. Susana Martinez More Quotes by Susana Martinez More Quotes From Susana Martinez We talked about many issues, like welfare, is it the way of life or hand up? Talked about size of government, how much should it tax families and small businesses? And when we left that lunch, we got in the car and I looked over at Chuck and said, "I'll be damned. We're Republicans." Susana Martinez issues lunch hands Success is the American Dream. And that success is not something to be ashamed of, or to demonize. Susana Martinez american-dream ashamed dream My parents taught me to never give up and to always believe that my future could be whatever I dreamt it to be. Susana Martinez giving-up parent believe Growing up I never imagined a little girl from a border town could one day become a governor. But this is America. In America algo es possible. Susana Martinez growing-up girl america Self-deport? What the heck does that mean? I have no doubt Hispanics have been alienated during this campaign. But now there's an opportunity for Gov. Romney to have a sincere conversation about what we can do and why. I absolutely advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Republicans want to be tough and say, 'Illegals, you're gone.' But the answer is a lot more complex than that. Susana Martinez self opportunity mean Success, they taught me, is built on the foundation of courage, hard-work and individual responsibility. Despite what some would have us believe, success is not built on resentment and fears. Susana Martinez hard-work responsibility believe I went to law school. And I became a prosecutor. I took on a specialty that very few choose to pursue. I prosecuted child abuse and child homicide cases. Cases that were truly gut-wrenching. But standing up for those kids, being their voice for justice was the honor of a lifetime. Susana Martinez kids children school Despite what some would have us believe, success is not built on resentment and fear. Susana Martinez despite resentment believe I've known where my heritage is from all along. Susana Martinez known heritage I've always known that my father's father and grandfather and grandmother were from Mexico. I've never denied it. I've always said it. Susana Martinez mexico grandmother father Latinos care about education, yes, so we need reform, not just money. Susana Martinez reform care needs Too many Americans are out of work, and our debt is out of control. Susana Martinez debt I registered Democrat because my parents did. They were, we were. There was no thinking behind it. Susana Martinez democrat parent thinking I absolutely advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Susana Martinez immigration-reform reform immigration As the first Hispanic female governor in history, little girls often come up to me in the grocery store or the mall. They look and point, and when they get the courage, they ask 'Are you Susana?' and they run up and give me a hug. Susana Martinez girl running giving Sometimes Republicans engage in number-crunching analysis that doesn't always take the neediest into account. Susana Martinez analysis numbers sometimes Republicans want to be tough and say, 'Illegals, you're gone.' But the answer is a lot more complex than that. Susana Martinez gone answers want We call on the Senate to reject any judicial nominee who does not affirm fundamental civil rights, including a woman's right [to obtain an abortion on demand]. The threat an [pro-life] judiciary poses to women's lives demands nothing less. Susana Martinez abortion pro-life rights The criminal justice system should have the authority to determine the immigration status of all criminals, regardless of race or ethnicity, and report illegal immigrants who commit crimes to federal authorities. Susana Martinez ethnicity race should-have Before I ran for District Attorney, two Republicans invited my husband and me to lunch. And I knew a party-switch was exactly what they wanted. So, I told Chuck, we'll be polite, enjoy a free lunch and then say goodbye. But we talked about issues - they never used the words Republican, or Democrat, conservative or liberal. We talked about many issues, like welfare - is it a way of life, or a hand-up? Talked about the size of government - how much should it tax families and small businesses? And when we left that lunch, we got in the car and I looked over at Chuck and said, "I'll be damned, we're Republicans." Susana Martinez party husband goodbye