Gov.’s deputy chief of staff steps down; Martinez in D.C. for meetings

SANTA FE — With just over 10 months left in Gov. Susana Martinez’s administration, a top staffer is leaving for a new job.

Deputy chief of staff Nick Piatek, whose last day is today, has worked with the Martinez administration for nearly seven years, rising from a communications position within the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to a top Governor’s Office post.

In a statement Thursday, the twoterm Republican governor praised the leadership abilities of Piatek, who has accepted a private sector job in California.

“Nick is a strong leader who helped guide my administration towards making New Mexico a better place to live and raise a family,” Martinez said in a statement.

It’s common for top appointees — both on the national and state level — to leave during the final months of an elected official’s term in office, and the Martinez administration’s Cabinet has also had recent turnover.

In his position as deputy chief of staff, Piatek has played a leading role in the past two years negotiating with legislative leaders. He also helped oversee the Governor’s Office communications strategy.

It’s unclear whether the Governor’s Office will hire a replacement for Piatek, with Martinez’s term set to expire at the end of this year.

D.C. TRIP: Gov. Martinez traveled to

Washington, D.C., on Thursday to attend political meetings and participate in talks with Trump administration officials.

While in the nation’s capital, Martinez will take part in the National Governors Association’s winter meeting — the NGA will hold its summer meeting in Santa Fe — and attend a meeting of the Republican Governors Association, a spokeswoman said.

She is scheduled to return to New Mexico on Tuesday, Martinez spokesman Emilee Cantrell said. The Governor’s Office did not provide details about the nature of Martinez’s meeting with Trump administration officials.

The governor also traveled to Washington earlier this month to attend a meeting with President Donald Trump about a plan for investments in rural infrastructure.

Her current trip falls within the billreview period for legislation passed during the 30-day session that ended last week. Martinez has until March 7 to sign or veto 108 bills that are still awaiting action. Bills that are not acted upon are automatically vetoed.

Per the state Constitution, Lt. Gov. John Sanchez serves as acting governor while Martinez is traveling outside New Mexico.

The RGA is covering the cost of Martinez’s current trip.