Susana Martinez -- the GOP’s savior in 2016?

The shake-up in the Republican presidential race caused by Mitt Romney’s departure from the field has generated talk of other Romney-like candidates who might enter the fray. Former New York governor George Pataki’s name is now in the mix. New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez – not so much.

But the case can certainly be made that, with the GOP’s wise decision to focus on governors, Martinez should be under consideration, even if she has made no effort to promote herself as a potential nominee.

Martinez was mentioned often in 2012 as a possible Romney running mate, in part because of her gender, her Hispanic heritage and her popularity in a Purple State. Republican activist Dennis Lennox argues in a column this week on The Detroit News blogs that Martinez could be the GOP’s best chance for a standardbearer who can stand toe-to-toe with likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

Here’s a bit of what Lennox had to say:

“Just whom Romney had in mind (as a newcomer nominee) is unknown, though a betting man would be wise to place money on Susana Martinez, the governor of New Mexico.
“She is arguably the GOP’s best-kept secret -- especially considering Obama’s heir presumptive is Hillary Clinton, the erstwhile secretary of state, senator and first lady.

“With Clinton as the Democratic nominee it would be ludicrous to think women wouldn’t come out in record numbers to shatter the proverbial glass ceiling, just as black Americans did to elect and re-elect the first black president.
“The only way Republicans can neutralize this advantage is by running a woman. Not just any woman, but the best woman.”