Dems say Martinez should give back money of man who made rape joke

Democrats are calling on Republican Susana Martinez to return $15,000 from Texas oil man and former gubernatorial candidate Clayton Williams after a joke he made about rape.

The Denish camp in a release said:

When he was running for Governor he (Williams) said bad weather is like rape. “As long as it’s inevitable, you might as well lie back and enjoy it.” [AP, 6/14/08] Williams' public statements are shocking and offensive to rape victims and women, and have no place in the New Mexico Governor’s race.

"This is absolutely outrageous and cuts to the core of why Susana Martinez is wrong for New Mexico,” Denish spokesman Chris Cervini said.

"She has taken yet another big donation from a Texas billionaire. But this time, he is also a Texas politician who jokes about the rape of women. Susana Martinez needs to immediately return the money and explain to New Mexicans why she thought it was acceptable to take money from someone who has made fun of rape victims so publicly," Cervini said.

"New Mexicans need to send a clear message to Susana Martinez that there is no place for this behavior in our state."

Sen. John McCain once cancelled an event with Williams, according to the Dallas Morning News.

I have a message into the Martinez people seeking comment.

Update, 5:21 pm

Martinez will donate the money to a rape crisis center in Las Cruces, campaign manager Ryan Cangiolosi just said.

"Susana doesn't want there to be any questions about how she feels about rape survivors. She's fought very hard for them throughout her career," he said.