Palin helps New Mexico Republican win primary

Doña Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez won the New Mexico Republican gubernatorial primary Tuesday. She will face Democrat Diane Denish in November.

Martinez, who had been endorsed by Sarah Palin, finished with 51 percent of the vote. Her closest rival, former state GOP chairman Allen Weh, pulled in 28 percent of the vote. 

Pete Domenici Jr., the son of the well-known Republican senator, finished with only 7 percent of the vote.

Tim Murtaugh, spokesman for the Republican Governors Association, called Martinez win "historic."

"Susana Martinez is poised to bring a new era of responsibility to Santa Fe," Murtagh said in a statement.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) is term limited.