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Martinez Apologizes for Behavior at Hotel

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New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez (R) apologized for the behavior of her staff at a rowdy holiday party and for her testy conversation after police were called, the Santa Fe New Mexican reports.

Said Martinez: “I want to apologize for the conduct of my staff the night of our holiday party. There was apparently a party in a hotel room earlier in the night that was disruptive. Someone was also throwing snowballs from a balcony. None of that should have happened and I was not aware of the extent of the behavior, until recently. And that behavior is not acceptable.”

She added: “I also want to admit that I made a mistake when I went to speak to the receptionist and asked her about the complaint. I should not have gotten involved… I was wrong to speak with them like that, and I apologize.”

Police Called to New Mexico Governor’s Hotel Room

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Police were dispatched to New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez’s (R) hotel room at the Eldorado Hotel & Spa about 1:30 a.m. Sunday after a caller complained of loud noises emanating from the room and someone throwing bottles off the balcony, the Santa Fe New Mexican reports.

“Santa Fe County dispatchers on Friday released recordings of Martinez talking to dispatchers after the complaint was made. She insisted on knowing who made the complaint and telling dispatchers that police officers were not needed. The governor said she and her disabled sister were in the room, along with six other people eating pizza.”

NM Political Report obtained audio of three calls to police.


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Edwards Moves Towards Bipartisan Cabinet

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Louisiana Gov.-elect John Bel Edwards (D) is expected to name Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne (R) as his top state government administrator and chief budget officer, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

“The move could be interpreted as Edwards’ first substantial commitment to a bipartisan cabinet. Edwards, a Democrat, has picked Dardenne, a Republican who ran against him in the gubernatorial primary, for arguably the most important and high-profile job in the state government next to his own. As Louisiana’s commissioner of administration, Dardenne will be in charge of running day-to-day operations of government and putting together solutions to the state budget problems for Edwards.”

Branstad Set to Break Longevity Record

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After nearly 21 years in office, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad (R) this month will become the longest-serving governor in U.S. history, “surpassing a mark set by a onetime Revolutionary War general,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“Few governors even reach a decade in office, in part because most states have term limits. Among sitting governors, Mr. Branstad’s closest peer is California’s Jerry Brown, who is nearing 13 years in office broken up over two time periods. Mr. Branstad will set the record on Dec. 14, surpassing George Clinton, the first governor of New York.”

Remaking Illinois

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The New York Times looks at how Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) and his wealthy friends are transforming the state and its politics.

“The families remaking Illinois are among a small group around the country who have channeled their extraordinary wealth into political power, taking advantage of regulatory, legal and cultural shifts that have carved new paths for infusing money into campaigns. Economic winners in an age of rising inequality, operating largely out of public view, they are reshaping government with fortunes so large as to defy the ordinary financial scale of politics.”

Brownback Beats Jindal as Most Unpopular Governor

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Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) “is the second-least popular governor is the nation, based on a new project that set out to find all governors’ approval ratings,” the Baton Rouge Advocate reports.

“The findings, compiled by Morning Consult, showed only Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback (R) was viewed less favorably than Jindal, who this week ended his presidential run.”

Bevin Calls Out Cartoon as Racist

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The Lexington Herald-Leader published an editorial cartoon that Kentucky Gov.-elect Matt Bevin (R) called “deplorably racist,” according to the Louisville Courier Journal.

The cartoon shows Bevin hiding under his desk and an aide telling him, ‘Sir, they’re not terrorists… they’re your own adopted kids!”

Four of Bevin’s children were adopted from Africa.

Hogan Approval Hits New High in Maryland

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A new Washington Post-University of Maryland poll finds Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) is deeply popular nine months after taking office, earning high marks from residents who describe him as a “different kind of Republican” and who have watched him battle cancer.

“Hogan’s 61% approval rating — up from 42% in February — extends across partisan and demographic lines in a state where registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans more than 2 to 1. He is viewed more favorably than either the Democratic Party or the Republican Party, and is presiding over a state that is riding a wave of increased optimism. For the first time since 2007, a majority of residents say things in Maryland are headed in the right direction.”

Haley Approval Up Among Independents

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A new Winthrop poll in South Carolina finds Gov. Nikki Haley (R) approval rating unchanged at 55% after removing the Confederate flag from the state capitol grounds.

“But the potential vice presidential pick lost some backing from fellow S.C. Republicans. Haley received a thumbs up from 68% of Republicans in the latest poll, but that was down from 78% from February.”

First Read: “That means she’s getting more support from Democrats and independents – but less support from Republicans. Interesting — especially for whomever the eventual GOP nominee is as they begin their search for a running mate.”

Indiana Lawmaker Resigns Over Sex Video

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Indiana state Rep. Jud McMillin (R) “has resigned unexpectedly from the Indiana House — where he is in the second-highest elected leadership position — after sources say at least one sexually explicit video was discovered on his phone,” the Indiana Business Journal reports.

“Sources close to the Republican caucus said someone obtained McMillin’s phone and discovered at least one video that showed the lawmaker involved in sexual contact. The sources did not detail who else was involved.”

Alabama Governor Agrees to Divorce Terms

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Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley’s (R) office said the governor and First Lady Dianne Bentley had reached an agreement ending their 50-year marriage, the Montgomery Advertiser reports.

“Details of the settlement were not immediately available. Bentley said he had asked for the records of the divorce case to be unsealed, though it remained off-limits as of Monday afternoon.”

About Political Wire

goddard-bw-snapshotTaegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire, one of the earliest and most influential political web sites. He also runs Political Job Hunt, Electoral Vote Map and the Political Dictionary.

Goddard spent more than a decade as managing director and chief operating officer of a prominent investment firm in New York City. Previously, he was a policy adviser to a U.S. Senator and Governor.

Goddard is also co-author of You Won - Now What? (Scribner, 1998), a political management book hailed by prominent journalists and politicians from both parties. In addition, Goddard's essays on politics and public policy have appeared in dozens of newspapers across the country.

Goddard earned degrees from Vassar College and Harvard University. He lives in New York with his wife and three sons.

Goddard is the owner of Goddard Media LLC.

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