Leaked recordings show Gov. Susana Martinez insulting opponents

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, who has been hailed as a rising star in the Republican Party, is taking a lot of heat for controversial comments she made in several recordings and documents that were leaked out Wednesday.

Mother Jones published previously unreleased audio recordings, text messages and emails that show Martinez and her aides using offensive language to insult political opponents.

In a 2010 recording, Martinez is heard referring to her Democratic opponent, Diane Denish, as “that little bitch” while watching a recently televised debate. Then, after Denish noted in the debate that the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce had given her an award, one of Martinez’s aides, Jay McCleskey, said, “That’s why we’re not meeting with those fuckers.”

SEE ALSO: Republicans fall in love with Gov. Susana Martinez

Another recording shows Martinez saying she thinks teachers earn too much:

“During the campaign, we can’t say it, I guess, because it’s education, but … they already don’t work, you know, two and a half months out of the year, three months out of the year, but earn salaries the same rate people who do work 12 months a year.”

One of her aides, Matt Kennicott, also mocked the language skills of Ben Luján, former state House speaker and one of the longest serving state legislators in New Mexico history, saying: “Somebody told me he’s absolutely eloquent in Spanish, but his English? He sounds like a retard.”

The Mother Jones article goes on to show other excerpts that the news organization claims “reveal a side of Martinez the public has rarely, if ever, seen.”

Martinez, who is seeking re-election this year, made history in 2010 when she became the first Latina to be elected governor. She has been mentioned as a possible 2016 vice presidential candidate ever since she spoke at the 2012 Republican National Convention, where she told the story of how she went from being a Democrat to becoming a Republican.

SEE ALSO: New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez — a new rising GOP star

Sam Bregman, chairman of the Democratic Party of New Mexico, blasted Martinez for the comments revealed in the Mother Jones article.

“I’ve said repeatedly that Governor Martinez is the worst Governor in New Mexico’s history,” Jones stated. “After reading this article, you can judge for yourself. The crass, rude and hate filled comments from the Governor, Jay McCleskey and her staff indicate the dislike and contempt they feel for all New Mexicans and even fellow Republicans.”

Susana Martinez responds to Mother Jones article

According to Mother Jones, neither Martinez nor her aides agreed to comment for the article. But the governor did release a statement on her website, responding to the article after it published.

She asked her supporters to stand with her and sign a petition to “show the D.C. liberal media that their desperate attacks have no place in our state.” Here’s the full text of the petition:

It’s no secret: the liberal media in Washington will do and say anything to stop the progress we’ve made. While I’m focused on moving New Mexico forward, they’re desperately looking for ways to undermine our reforms and support candidates who will take us back to the days of Bill Richardson.

In one of the most desperate and despicable attacks to date, the far-left’s premier magazine is using material obtained by people who are part of a federal investigation for hacking into my personal email account.

My priority has always been to fight for New Mexico’s families and move our state forward. But the radical media want to hold us back.

Martinez campaign spokesman Chris Sanchez admitted to the Associated Press that Martinez “used salty language in a private conversation four years ago with close advisers and will pay the appropriate penalty to the cuss jar.” However, Sanchez didn’t apologize on behalf of Martinez despite calls from Democrats for her to issue an apology.

SEE ALSO: Susana Martinez: ‘Damn I’m Republican’