PHOENIX -- State Treasurer Dean Martin isn’t sure how his name wound up on the government’s no fly list, but he has a feeling it’s political payback.

Martin first found out about his dubious distinction last weekend when he tried to check in for a flight to Seattle.

“It took me two and a half hours to get through security when I first discovered this,” said Martin.

Martin said the last time he flew was the previous fall and there were no hassles.

He pointed out that one of his old political foes has since taken a new job.

“My staff used to joke after my disagreements with the previous governor that I wouldn't be able to fly once she got back in D.C.," Martin said. "I didn't believe them, but it's actually happening."

The reference was to Janet Napolitano, now the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

So did Napolitano pull a power prank or is this all a big mix up?

“I don’t know, we'll find out but I do find it really interesting that I haven't been on the terrorist watch list until just now," he said.

Napolitano’s office released the following statement in response to Martin’s concerns:

"Seeing as Dean Martin is a common name, the Transportation Security Administration has previously been in contact with Treasurer Martin's office. TSA placed his team in contact with the redress office and contacted the airline so that any future issue would immediately be resolved by entering his frequent flier number."