Jack Martins
Member of the New York State Senate
from the 7th district
Assumed office
January 1, 2023
Preceded byAnna Kaplan
In office
January 1, 2011 – December 31, 2016
Preceded byCraig M. Johnson
Succeeded byElaine Phillips
Personal details
Born
Joaquim Martins

(1967-06-19) June 19, 1967 (age 56)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpousePaula
Children4
EducationAmerican University (BA)
St. John's University (JD)

Joaquim "Jack" M. Martins (born June 19, 1967) is an American attorney and politician serving as a member of the New York State Senate for the 7th district. A Republican, he previously served as mayor of Mineola, New York.

Early life and education

Martins is a first-generation Portuguese American. He was born in Queens, New York, to parents who emigrated to the United States in the 1960s. He has two brothers and two sisters and was raised in Mineola. Upon graduating from Chaminade High School, he received a bachelor's degree in political science from American University in 1988. Martins went on to complete a Juris Doctor from St. John's University School of Law in 1991.[1]

Political career

Mayor of Mineola (2004–2010)

Martins was elected mayor of the Village of Mineola, New York in 2003.[1]

2008 congressional campaign

In 2008, Martins ran for Congress against incumbent Democratic U.S. Representative Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola). He was defeated by a wide margin.[1]

New York State Senate (2011–2016)

Martins won election to the New York State Senate in 2010 as the representative for New York's 7th State Senate district. He defeated incumbent Democratic senator Craig M. Johnson by 451 votes.[2] The election results were not certified until December 4, 2010.[3] Johnson challenged the results and demanded a hand recount, but the New York Court of Appeals rejected his appeal on December 20, 2010.[2]

As Senator, Martins voted for the law creating New York State's property tax cap, voted to cut income taxes for middle-class homeowners, voted to repeal the MTA payroll tax for small businesses and schools, and supported repealing the MTA payroll tax in its entirety.[4] He authored laws reducing busing costs for school districts;[5] creating a truss notification system to improve safety for volunteer firefighters;[6] and establishing a new state fund to help homeless veterans.[7]

In 2011, Martins voted against allowing same-sex marriage in New York during rollcall for the Marriage Equality Act, which narrowly passed, legalizing it by 33 to 29.[8][9]

Martins was highly critical of the New York State Education Department's implementation of the Common Core standards[10] and called for the resignation of the State's Commissioner of Education for cancelling public forums on the issue with parents and teachers.[11] While in the Senate, Martins repeatedly led Long Island's 31 state legislators in the number of bills sponsored that were ultimately passed by both houses of the State Legislature.[12]

In February 2016, Martins and state Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel called for new state funding to support a comprehensive groundwater study for Long Island.[13] An expanded version of their proposal was adopted by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.[14]

Martins sponsored legislation that would prevent New York from entering into a state contract or investment with those who boycott Israel or other American allies.[15]

Martins served as chairman of the State Senate's Labor Committee[16] and was co-chair of the Senate's Task Force on Workforce Development.[17] He previously chaired the Senate's Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business Committee and the Senate's Local Government Committee.[18] Martins also served on the New York State Mandate Relief Council, which was created to help reduce costs for local governments and school districts by eliminating or reforming regulations.[19]

2016 congressional campaign

Martins was the Republican nominee in the 2016 election to represent New York's 3rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives, and received the endorsement of the Republican Party, Conservative Party and the Independence Party.[20][21] Martins was defeated by Democrat Tom Suozzi in the general election. Suozzi won 53% of the vote to Martins' 47%.[22][23]

2017 Nassau County executive campaign

On April 26, 2017, Martins announced that he would run for Nassau County executive. Martins received the GOP nomination for County Executive and was uncontested in the primary.[24] Martins was narrowly defeated by the Democratic nominee, Nassau County legislator Laura Curran, in the November 7, 2017, election; Curran won 51% of the vote to Martins' 48%.[25]

2024 congressional speculation

Amid calls for newly seated congressman George Santos to resign, Martins was mentioned as a possible replacement. After George Santos was expelled in December 2023, Martins decided to not seek the GOP nomination for the 2024 Special Election.[26][27]

Personal life

As of 2018, Martins is a board member of the Henry Viscardi School.[28] He is a recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, the Lions Club's highest honor.[29] He was honored as the 2012 Portuguese Man of the Year during Nassau County's first ever public event recognizing the Portuguese Community on Long Island.[30] He and his wife, Paula, have four daughters.[31]

Election results

Jack Martins (REP - Reform Party - TRP - CON) - 139,204
Laura Curran (DEM) - 147,102
Jack Martins (REP - IND - CON) ... 152,304
Thomas R. Suozzi (DEM) ... 171,775
Jack M. Martins (REP - IND - CON - Tax Revolt Party (TRP)) ... 40,465
Adam M. Haber (DEM - WFP - GRE - Women's Equality Party(WEP)) ... 31,552
Jack M. Martins (REP - IND - CON - Tax Revolt Party (TRP)) ... 58,039
Daniel S. Ross (DEM - WFP) ... 53,987
Jack M. Martins (REP - IND - CON) ... 42,928
Craig M. Johnson (DEM) ... 42,477

References

  1. ^ a b c Kerr, Kathleen (December 4, 2010). "Martins leaving Mineola for Albany". Newsday. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  2. ^ a b "Court backs Martins win, GOP takes NY Senate". Newsday.
  3. ^ Murphy, William; Epstein, Reid J. (December 6, 2010). "Johnson to appeal ruling of Martins victory". Newsday.
  4. ^ Santa, John (February 9, 2012). "Martins leads MTA tax repeal initiative". New Hyde Park Herald Courier. The Island Now.
  5. ^ Nash, Jackie (October 25, 2011). "Schools cut bus costs, rev up savings". LI Herald.
  6. ^ O'Reilly, Anthony (September 25, 2014). "Cuomo signs bill to protect firefighters". The Island Now. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  7. ^ Brodsky, Robert (December 31, 2014). "New year brings new laws for Long Island residents". Newsday.
  8. ^ Johnston, Garth (June 24, 2011). "FINALLY: NY State Senate Passes Gay Marriage". gothamist.com. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  9. ^ "A8354-2011 – NY Senate Open Legislation – Enacts the Marriage Equality Act relating to ability of individuals to marry – New York State Senate". nysenate.gov. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  10. ^ "Emotions High At Common Core Forums On Long Island". CBS New York. November 13, 2013.
  11. ^ "Resume Common Core forums: Martins". the Island Now. October 17, 2013. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  12. ^ Roy, Yancey (June 30, 2014). "Martins tops LI delegation in bills passed, ranks second overall". Newsday.
  13. ^ Barrios, Jennifer (February 15, 2016). "Nassau County groundwater study needed, legislators say". Newsday.
  14. ^ "Cuomo plan includes $6 million study for Long Island drinking water". the Island Now. February 25, 2016.
  15. ^ Gormley, Michael (January 20, 2016). "Senate acts first to boycott companies that boycott Israel". Newsday.
  16. ^ "Senate Republicans Name New Committee Chairs". Politico New York. January 22, 2015.
  17. ^ "Senate creates workforce development task force". Legislative Gazette. March 24, 2015. Archived from the original on July 3, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  18. ^ "Martins Takes Over Senate Commerce Committee, His Second Chairmanship". Newsday. March 21, 2014.
  19. ^ Callegari, John (January 24, 2012). "Martins to sit on NY Mandate Relief Council". Long Island Business News.
  20. ^ Brand, Rick (March 8, 2016). "Jack Martins wins GOP, Conservative backing for Congress". Newsday. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  21. ^ Brand, Rick (March 12, 2016). "Jack Martins Backed By Independence Party for House Seat". Newsday. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  22. ^ "Tom Suozzi victorious over Jack Martins in race to fill Steve Israel's Congressional seat - QNS.com". qns.com. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  23. ^ "New York U.S. House 3rd District Results: Thomas Suozzi Wins". The New York Times. November 16, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  24. ^ "Martins to run for Nassau County executive". Newsday.
  25. ^ "Election Results: De Blasio Wins Second Term as New York City Mayor". The New York Times. December 20, 2017 – via NYTimes.com.
  26. ^ Bickerton, James (January 11, 2023). "George Santos resign calls grow as Republicans line up replacement". Newsweek. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  27. ^ "Who might be eyeing George Santos' congressional seat?". City & State NY. January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  28. ^ "Viscardi Center & Abilities Inc. add to boards". Long Island Business News. August 10, 2018.
  29. ^ "Portuguese Lions Club e 'Leos' Club assinalaram mais um ano de actividade". Luso Americano. November 2, 2014.
  30. ^ Tedesco, Richard. "County Honors Martins on Portugal Day". Williston Times. The Island Now. Archived from the original on April 4, 2016. Retrieved July 14, 2012.
  31. ^ Epstein, Reid J. (December 20, 2010). "Appeals court backs Martins State Senate win". Newsday. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  32. ^ "General Election Results, US Congress: November 8, 2016" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. November 9, 2016. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  33. ^ "General Election Results, State Senate: November 4, 2014" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. December 15, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  34. ^ "General Election Results, State Senate: November 6, 2012" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. December 31, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
  35. ^ "General Election Results, State Senate: November 2, 2010" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. December 13, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 23, 2012. Retrieved April 12, 2011.
New York State Senate Preceded byCraig M. Johnson Member of the New York Senatefrom the 7th district 2011–2016 Succeeded byElaine Phillips Preceded byAnna Kaplan Member of the New York Senatefrom the 7th district 2023–present Incumbent
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