Washington (CNN) – Congressional leaders, potential presidential candidates and party elders will come together next week in the nation's capital to help fill New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez's political war chest, CNN has learned.
From House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to Sen. Rand Paul and Sen. Marco Rubio, at least 27 people are listed as "Honored Guests" on a fundraising invitation that also features Republican Governors Association Chair Bobby Jindal, Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus and former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, among many others. The event is expected to raise "six figures," said an adviser to the New Mexico governor, who spoke about it on the condition of anonymity. Contributions range from $500 to $5,200 per person.
As of now, it appears Martinez has a path to re-election as Democrats have failed to identify a strong challenger. "For being in such a competitive state, Martinez is in surprising good shape for second term," said Nathan Gonzales, deputy editor of the non-partisan Rothenberg Political Report.
So why are Republicans focusing on helping Martinez, who is expected to win re-election in 2014? Simply, she is an important public figure for the GOP, who lost the Hispanic vote to President Barack Obama by an overwhelming margin in 2012. And there is an acknowledgment by Priebus and other GOP leaders that future electoral successes will depend, in part, on convincing Hispanic voters to support Republicans. Who better to help deliver that message than Martinez – the first Hispanic woman ever elected governor.
"Governor Martinez is deeply appreciative of the support she is receiving from so many leaders in the Republican Party as she seeks to raise the re-election funds necessary to communicate her message," said the adviser, who spoke about the fundraiser on the condition of anonymity.