New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez was selected Thursday to lead the Republican Governors Association though the 2016 election cycle.

The Albereque Journal reports GOP governors elected Martinez at the RGA annual meeting, held in Las Vegas.

"It's an honor, and it allows me to showcase New Mexico throughout the country," Martinez told the Journal. "I think that's really an amazing opportunity."

As former vice chair of the RGA, Martinez was widely expected to be chosen to lead the organization. She will be the first woman and first Latina to head the group.

Martinez, who is also the only Latina to ever be elected governor in the U.S., will now be tasked with representing the 31 current Republican governors throughout the country. She will also be expected to raise money for the cause and help rally to get new Republican candidates elected as state governors.

Outgoing RGA chairman, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, praised the selection.

"She has made the tough decisions necessary to move New Mexico forward and knows what it takes to win in a blue state, a skill that will be vital to ensuring our governors and candidates have the resources they need to win in 2016," Haslam said of Martinez in a statement.

The vote also comes at a fortunate time, as Martinez has been involved in a number of recent controversies, including an FBI investigation into her political adviser, Jay McCleskey, and a scandal concerning retaliatory audits given to her former associates, according to the NM Political Report.

The Democratic Party of New Mexico criticized the RGA's choice in light of the controversy.

"To keep Jay McCleskey by her side even as a federal grand jury considers indictments against him sends a message to New Mexicans that Susana Martinez is comfortable with scandal and corruption," said DPNM Executive Director Joe Kabourek. "New Mexicans have had enough. Her key political adviser, her secretary of state, her secretary of taxation and revenue - where does it stop?"

Martinez has defended McCleskey to reporters, saying she was confident he did nothing wrong.