In the years since their paths first crossed on that memorable day, Martinez has built an impressive political resume that in several respects mirrors the one that once made Palin the nation’s most popular governor among home-state voters.

Like Palin, Martinez was elected on an anti-corruption platform. Upon entering office, she took a page from the former Alaska governor’s playbook by putting up for sale the state-owned luxury jet that had become as much of a symbol of waste and abuse in Santa Fe as had the Juneau-based plane that Palin put on eBay four years earlier.

Mirroring her backer’s early legislative successes, Martinez has worked with adversaries in New Mexico’s state capitol, known locally as the Roundhouse, to build a budget surplus while keeping income taxes down. As a result, she has at times earned some of the highest approval ratings of any governor in the country, just as her benefactor from the north once did.

And when it comes time for the 2016 Republican presidential nominee to consider potential running mates, Martinez is likely to be a strong contender — if not the consensus early favorite — to become the second female Republican vice-presidential nominee in the nation’s history.