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Matthew G. Martínez

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Marty Martínez
Image
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California
In office
July 13, 1982 – January 3, 2001
Preceded byGeorge E. Danielson
Succeeded byHilda Solis
Constituency30th district (1982–1993)
31st district (1993–2001)
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 59th district
In office
December 1, 1980 – July 15, 1982
Preceded byJack R. Fenton
Succeeded byCharles Calderon
Personal details
BornMatthew Gilbert Martínez
(1929-02-14)February 14, 1929
Walsenburg, Colorado, U.S.
DiedOctober 15, 2011(2011-10-15) (aged 82)
Fredericksburg, Virginia, U.S.
PartyRepublican (before 1974, 2000–2011)
Democratic (1974–2000)
ChildrenDiane (daughter)
EducationLos Angeles Trade-Technical College (attended)
Military service
Branch/serviceImage United States Marine Corps
RankPrivate first class
Battles/warsWorld War II

Matthew Gilbert "Marty" Martínez (February 14, 1929 – October 15, 2011)[1] was an American politician who served as the U.S. representative from California's 30th congressional district from 1982 to 1993 and California's 31st congressional district from 1993 to 2001, both as a member of the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. Martínez switched parties to become a Republican after being defeated in a 2000 primary.

Early life

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Martínez's family moved to Los Angeles when he was young, and he attended public schools in Los Angeles. In 1949 he graduated from Roosevelt High School. From 1947 to 1950 he served in the U.S. Marine Corps, achieving the rank of private first class. In 1956 he received a certificate of competence from the Los Angeles Trade-Technical College.[2]

For the next fifteen years he owned and operated a custom furniture upholstery company and worked as a building contractor.

Political career

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He began his political career in 1971 when he became a member of the Monterey Park Planning Commission, and served until 1974 when he was elected to the Monterey Park City Council. He served until 1980, including two terms as mayor in 1974 and 1980.

State assembly

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In 1980, Martínez defeated incumbent Jack R. Fenton in the Democratic primary election in California's 59th State Assembly district. He was elected to the California State Assembly with no major-party opponent.[3]

Congress

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In 1982 George E. Danielson left the U.S. House of Representatives to take the bench. Martínez won the special election to succeed him, and was reelected nine times by varying margins.

In his first term in Congress he was assigned to the Education and Labor Committee. In the 99th Congress (1985–87) he chaired the Subcommittee on Employment Opportunities. In 1991, he became the Chairman of the Human Resources Subcommittee. In 1992, Martínez was named to the Foreign Affairs Committee, and served on the Subcommittee on International Security, International Organizations and Human Rights.

Defeat

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In 2000, Martínez was defeated in the Democratic primary by liberal State Senator Hilda Solis 62% to 29%. She charged that he was out of touch with his district when he voted to ban partial-birth abortion and opposed gun control. He was both Roman Catholic and a member of the National Rifle Association.[2] While he had been a reliably Democratic vote on most issues throughout his congressional career, after his primary loss Martínez began to vote overwhelmingly with Republicans. On July 27, 2000, Martínez switched to the Republican Party, arguing that the Democrats had abandoned him. There was no Republican candidate on the ballot in the district for the 2000 election, and Martínez declined to attempt a write-in candidacy, though he remained critical of Solis and promised to stay active in the Republican Party.[4] His term in Congress ended on January 3, 2001, at the end of the 106th Congress.

Family

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Martínez was married to Elvira Yorba Martinez, with whom he had five children: Matthew Adrian, Michael Gilbert, Diane, Susan, and Carol Ann. His daughter, Diane Martínez, served in the State Assembly from 1992 to 1998.

Death

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On October 15, 2011, Martínez died at his home in Fredericksburg, Virginia.[5][6][7] He had suffered from congestive heart failure.[8]

Memberships

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Electoral history

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Matthew Martinez electoral history
1982 California's 30th congressional district special election[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matthew G. Martínez 14,593 51.0
Republican Ralph Roy Ramirez 14,043 49.0
Total votes 28,636 100.0
Democratic hold
1982 United States House of Representatives elections in California[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matthew G. Martínez (Incumbent) 60,905 53.9
Republican John H. Rousselot (Incumbent) 52,177 46.1
Total votes 113,082 100.0
Democratic hold
1984 United States House of Representatives elections in California[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matthew G. Martínez (Incumbent) 64,378 51.8
Republican Richard Gomez 53,900 43.4
American Independent Houston A. Meyers 6,055 4.8
Total votes 124,333 100.0
Democratic hold
1986 United States House of Representatives elections in California[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matthew G. Martínez (Incumbent) 59,369 62.5
Republican John W. Almquist 33,705 35.5
Libertarian Kim J. Goldsworthy 1,911 2.0
Total votes 94,985 100.0
Democratic hold
1988 United States House of Representatives elections in California[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matthew G. Martínez (Incumbent) 72,253 59.9
Republican Ralph Roy Ramirez 43,833 25.5
American Independent Houston A. Myers 2,694 2.2
Libertarian Kim J. Goldsworthy 1,864 1.5
Total votes 120,644 100.0
Democratic hold
1990 United States House of Representatives elections in California[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matthew G. Martínez (Incumbent) 45,456 58.2
Republican Reuben D. Franco 28,914 37.0
Libertarian George Curtis Feger 3,713 4.8
Total votes 78,083 100.0
Democratic hold
1992 United States House of Representatives elections in California[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matthew G. Martínez (Incumbent) 68,324 62.6
Republican Reuben D. Franco 40,873 37.4
Total votes 109,197 100.0
Democratic hold
1994 United States House of Representatives elections in California[17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matthew G. Martínez (Incumbent) 50,541 59.1
Republican John V. Flores 34,926 40.9
Total votes 85,467 100.0
Democratic hold
1996 United States House of Representatives elections in California[18]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matthew G. Martínez (Incumbent) 69,285 67.5
Republican John Flores 28,705 28.0
Libertarian Michael Everling 4,700 4.5
Total votes 102,690 100.0
Democratic hold
1998 United States House of Representatives elections in California[19]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matthew G. Martínez (Incumbent) 61,173 70.0
Republican Frank C. Moreno 19,786 22.7
Green Krista Lieberg-Wong 4,377 5.0
Libertarian Michael B. Everling 1,121 1.3
Natural Law Gary Hearne 903 1.03
Total votes 87,360 100.0
Democratic hold

2000

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2000 United States House of Representatives elections in California[20]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Hilda Solis 89,600 79.4
Green Krista Lieberg-Wong 10,294 9.1
Libertarian Michael McGuire 7,138 6.3
Natural Law Richard D. Griffin 5,882 5.2
Total votes 112,914 100.0
Democratic gain from Republican

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "Matthew G. 'Marty' Martinez dies at 82; former congressman". October 21, 2011 – via LA Times.
  2. 1 2 Simon, Richard; Antonio Olivo (February 23, 2000). "Two Incumbent Congressmen Facing Tough Challenges". Los Angeles Times. p. B-1. Archived from the original on October 8, 2012. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  3. ↑ Vassar, Alex; Shane Meyers. "11-04-1980 Election". JoinCalifornia. One Voter Project. Archived from the original on February 22, 2007. Retrieved September 18, 2008.
  4. ↑ Simon, Richard (July 27, 2000). "Martinez Switches to GOP in His Final Term". The Los Angeles Times.
  5. ↑ "Matthew G. 'Marty' Martinez dies at 82; former congressman". Los Angeles Times. October 21, 2011. Archived from the original on October 19, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Former area Congressman Matthew 'Marty' Martinez dead at 82". Pasadena Star-News. October 18, 2011. Archived from the original on June 4, 2012.
  7. ↑ Hevesi, Dennis (October 19, 2011). "Matthew G. Martinez, Ex-Democratic Lawmaker, Dies at 82". New York Times. Archived from the original on October 20, 2011.
  8. ↑ Shapiro, T. Rees (October 20, 2011). "Nine-term California congressman Matthew G. Martinez dies at 82". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Matthew Gilbert Martinez." Marquis Who's Who TM. Marquis Who's Who, 2008. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale, 2008. http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/BioRC. (Fee) Document Number: K2013018942
  10. ↑ 1982 special election results
  11. ↑ 1982 election results
  12. ↑ 1984 election results
  13. ↑ 1986 election results
  14. ↑ 1988 election results
  15. ↑ 1990 election results
  16. ↑ 1992 election results
  17. ↑ 1994 election results
  18. ↑ 1996 election results
  19. ↑ 1998 election results
  20. ↑ 2000 election results
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