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Martinez

LAS CRUCES - An expected crowd of 1,200 will gather in Las Cruces this evening for a good-bye party on behalf of Gov.-elect Susana Martinez.

The semi-formal event is a precursor to inaugural activities Saturday in Santa Fe.

Tonight's dinner-and-dance affair isn't open to the public. Only invited guests will be allowed inside the Las Cruces Convention Center.

Martinez, 51, said Wednesday evening she was driving back to Las Cruces after a stint in Albuquerque reviewing the state budget and appointing cabinet secretaries. She said she was glad to return to the city and attend tonight's gala "because that's where it all started, when I decided to make that my home in 1986."

She said the event is meant as a thank-you for supporters and staff from her office, the courthouse and law enforcement.

"Most of the folks there are going to be from the area, and many of them are not going to be able to come to the one in Santa Fe," she said. "So, it's really a way to get together and enjoy each other's company."

Martinez, the state's first elected female governor, is resigning as Do-a Ana County district attorney to take the state's chief executive role. She starts Jan. 1.

"It's been a very long journey for the campaign, at 15 months," Martinez said. "But without the support of my family, co-workers and friends, I couldn't have gotten through those 15 months. Now, more than ever, I'll need their support, and I ask for their prayers."

Diana M. Alba can be reached at (575)

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541-5443.

Inaugural events

Note: Today's Convention Center Invitation-only Inaugural Send-off Gala is sold out, but there are still some chances to witness the historic inauguration.

Swearing-in Ceremony

• When: 10 a.m. Saturday

• Where: Santa Fe Plaza

• How much: Free, open to all

Public Reception

• When: Noon Saturday

• Where: The Museum of Fine Arts, 107 West Palace Ave., Santa Fe

• How much: Free, open to all

The Children's Ball

• When: 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday

• Where: The Santa Fe Children's Museum, 1050 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe

• Who: Children ages 5-11 years old and one chaperone only

• How much: Free, but advance reservations/RSVP required at (505) 872-2070

The Bold Inaugural Ball

• When: 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday

• Where: The Santa Fe Convention Center, 201 W. Marcy St., Santa Fe. Invitation only. No openings.