Jim Martin (Georgia politician)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Jim Martin | |
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Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
from the 5th district |
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| In office 1983-2002 |
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| Born | August 22, 1945 Atlanta, Georgia |
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| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Joan Martin |
| Residence | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Alma mater | University of Georgia University of Georgia School of Law |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Website | www.martinforsenate.com |
James Francis "Jim" Martin (born August 22, 1945) is an American politician and former member of the Georgia General Assembly. He is a Democrat. Martin opposed incumbent U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss in the 2008 election. In the general election, no candidate received more than 50% of the vote, forcing a run-off election on December 2, 2008, which Martin subsequently lost.[1]
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[edit] Early life, education, and military service
Martin was born in Atlanta, Georgia and grew up in a family of six boys. In 1963 after graduating from Atlanta's public school system he enrolled in the University of Georgia, where he was elected freshman class president. He would take two years off from school to serve in the U.S. Army, which included a tour of duty in Vietnam.[2] He is a member of Sigma Chi.
After his return from the war, he returned to the University of Georgia where he earned three degrees: a bachelor's degree and two law degrees He was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity at the University of Georgia as was his political opponent Senator Saxby Chambliss.[2]
[edit] Political career
[edit] Georgia House of Representatives
Martin won a special election to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1983. He was re-elected in 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998 and 2000. During his tenure in the House, Martin served as Chairman of several committees, including the Judiciary Committee and the Human Services Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee. He also served as an active member of the Industrial Relations, Special Judiciary and Children and Youth Committees.[3]
In September 2001 he relinquished his House seat and was appointed Commissioner of Human Resources by Governor Roy Barnes. On September 19, 2003 he resigned from his position as Commissioner.[4]
From 2004 to 2005, he was the Chief Legal Officer of the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council.
[edit] 2006 Georgia Lieutenant Governor election
Martin was the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia in 2006. He received the endorsement of former Governor Roy Barnes, but was defeated by Republican candidate Casey Cagle.[5]
From 2007 to 2008, he was an Executive Fellow at the Georgia State University Andrew Young School of Policy Studies.
[edit] 2008 United States Senate election
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Wikinews has related news: Georgia Senate seat goes to Republicans |
On March 19, 2008, Martin launched his campaign for U.S. Senate against incumbent Republican senator Saxby Chambliss.[6] He came in second to Vernon Jones in the Democratic primary election and advanced to a run-off election. On August 5, 2008, Martin defeated Jones in the run-off, and prepared to face Chambliss in the general election in November.[7]
For most of the year, incumbent Senator Saxby Chambliss held a comfortable lead in the polls, but the race tightened closer to the election. In the general election on November 4, 2008, Chambliss fell .2% shy of the simple majority needed to win the election and Martin finished about 3% behind. As no candidate received a majority of the vote, a run-off election was held on December 2, 2008 between Martin and Chambliss. Chambliss went on to win the run-off with 57% of the vote to Martin's 43%.[8]—
[edit] Personal life
Jim Martin has been married to Joan Martin since 1970 and has four children and three grandchildren. He is also an elder at Atlanta's Morningside Presbyterian Church (PCUSA).[9]
[edit] References
- ^ http://apnews.myway.com/article/20081203/D94QV0C00.html
- ^ a b http://www.martinforsenate.com/about/jim_martin.html#more
- ^ Charles S. Bullock, III, The Georgia Political Almanac, The General Assembly 1993-94
- ^ Governor Perdue Accepts Resignation of DHR Commissioner Martin, Governor's Office Press Release, September 16, 2003
- ^ Former Gov. Roy Barnes Endorses Jim Martin, Democratic Candidate for Lieutenant Governor, News Blaze, July 8, 2006
- ^ Democrat Jim Martin announces for U.S. Senate, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 19, 2008
- ^ Rachel Kapochunas (2008-08-05). "Martin Wins Georgia Dem Runoff, Will Challenge Sen. Chambliss". Congressional Quarterly. http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=news-000002934958. Retrieved 2008-08-05.
- ^ http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/individual/#mapSGA
- ^ Jim Martin Project Vote Smart
[edit] External links
- Jim Martin for U.S. Senate official campaign website
- Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
- Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
- Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
- Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
- Follow the Money - Jim F Martin
- Jim Martin at the Open Directory Project
| Georgia House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sidney Marcus (D) |
Georgia State Representative from 47th district 1983 – 2001 |
Succeeded by Pat Gardner (D) |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by Mark Taylor |
Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia 2006 |
Succeeded by Most recent |
| Preceded by Max Cleland |
Democratic nominee for United States Senator from Georgia (Class 2) 2008 |
Succeeded by Most Recent |
