WASHINGTON: New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez has endorsed Marco Rubio's presidential bid — support from a rising Republican star that will undoubtedly boost the Florida senator's sway among Latino voters.

Rubio mentioned Martinez's name back in November when discussing potential running mates, but Martinez has largely shrugged off questions about higher political aspirations.

The backing from the nation's only Latina governor comes days after Martinez refused to say whether she would support Donald Trump if he became the Republican nominee.

Martinez plans to campaign with Rubio in Kansas on Friday.

Separately, Bernie Sanders has made trade policy a centerpiece of his efforts to win next week's Democratic presidential primary in Michigan.

He's trying to make the case that Hillary Clinton's approach to trade has been wrong and that families have suffered as a result of policies she supports.

Sanders said at a news conference in Lansing, Michigan, that he and Clinton have been on opposing sides on a number of trade deals, including the North American Free Trade Agreement and normalizing trade relations with China.