Gov. Susana Martinez is kicking off her inauguration celebration with a gala in Las Cruces.
The Sunday evening event is at the Pan American Center on the New Mexico State University campus. The governor is expected to address the crowd and have a dance with First Gentleman Chuck Franco.
Martinez, the nation's only Latina governor, cruised to an easy victory in November over Democratic challenger Gary King with nearly 58 percent of the vote. No New Mexico GOP governor had won with more than 55 percent during the past half century.
The inaugural celebration will continue Wednesday evening with a Mass at Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe. A public swearing-in ceremony at the State Capitol will follow on New Year's Day.
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