By KRWG News
New Mexico – Republican Gov. Susana Martinez has formed a political action committee to support legislative candidates backing her agenda.
The governor established Susana-PAC in late February.
Martinez political spokesman Danny Diaz said the governor formed the committee to elect candidates who share her views for changing New Mexico, including ending driver's licenses for illegal immigrants.
All 112 seats in the Democratic-controlled Legislature are up for election next year.
By forming a PAC, Martinez has flexibility to raise and spend money to influence legislative races without draining her re-election fund, which will be needed in 2014. The PAC is similar to the political committees affiliated with some legislative leaders, including House Speaker Ben Lujan.
The governor's PAC can give money to candidates and make independent expenditures such as advertising.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.