On Wednesday, New Mexico gubernatorial candidates held a debate in Spanish demonstrating a trend that highlights how important the Hispanic vote is to this year's elections.

"Welcome, and thank you very much for the opportunity to talk to the Hispanic people of my community," New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez said in her opening statement in Spanish according to The Associated Press.

Gary King, the Democratic candidate vying for the Republican's position, used a translator in the debate.

"I appreciate the opportunity to be here today," he said before a translator repeated his remarks in Spanish.

According to Politico, approximately 47 percent of the state's population is Hispanic, and some government agencies start their meetings by saying the Pledge of Allegiance in both English and Spanish.

Matt Baretto, a University of Washington professor and the co-founder of a nonpartisan Latino political research firm, said Wednesday's debate gave Martinez, who is the first elected Latina governor in United States history, "an opportunity to connect and appear comfortable."

"It's not a problem of immigration. It's a problem of security," Martinez said in Spanish during the debate in reference to a state law that allows undocumented immigrants to have driver's licenses.

"I'm concerned about making two classes of citizens [if the program is dropped]," King responded in English.

New Mexico isn't the only state seeing debates in Spanish. According to AP, colleges and Spanish language networks in California and Texas are hosting Spanish debates "regardless of candidates' fluency."

"The debate is more for symbolism," King said.

On Friday, both Republican Gov. Rick Scott and former Democrat Gov. Charlie Crist will use translators during their Spanish debate.

On Saturday, Republican Congressman David Valadao and Democratic challenger Amanda Renteria held a Spanish debate in California.

Martinez and King's Spanish debate was sponsored by KLUZ-TV Univision Nuevo Mexico and tackled economy, education and immigration for 30 minutes.

"Everyone remembers [former Texas Gov.] George W. Bush speaking Spanish, even though it was bad," Barreto said. "He ended up in the White House."

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Follow Scharon Harding on Twitter: @ScharHar.

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