Growing up I never imagined a little girl from a border town could one day become a governor. But this is America. In America algo es possible.

We talked about many issues, like welfare, is it the way of life or hand up? Talked about size of government, how much should it tax families and small businesses? And when we left that lunch, we got in the car and I looked over at Chuck and said, "I'll be damned. We're Republicans."

I've always known that my father's father and grandfather and grandmother were from Mexico. I've never denied it. I've always said it.

As the first Hispanic female governor in history, little girls often come up to me in the grocery store or the mall. They look and point, and when they get the courage, they ask 'Are you Susana?' and they run up and give me a hug.

Success is the American Dream. And that success is not something to be ashamed of, or to demonize.

I've known where my heritage is from all along.

I registered Democrat because my parents did. They were, we were. There was no thinking behind it.