Tekesha Martinez
Tekesha Martinez | |
|---|---|
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| Mayor of Hagerstown | |
| Assumed office February 7, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Emily Keller |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Hagerstown, Maryland |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 5 |
| Website | Official website |
Tekesha Martinez[1] is an American politician who is the mayor of Hagerstown, Maryland. She was appointed to be Hagerstown's first Black mayor in 2023.[2]
Prior to her mayoral appointment in Hagerstown, Martinez was elected to a seat on the City Council, becoming one of the first Black women Councilmembers elected in the City's history.[3] Martinez has also worked at the Washington County Boys and Girls Club and served as a community mediator for the Washington County Community Mediation Center.[4]
Early life
Martinez was born and raised in Hagerstown and grew up in the Washington County Foster Care system. After having her first daughter at 17, Martinez left the foster care system and moved into housing in the west end projects of Hagerstown. After moving to Baltimore for a short period and becoming interested in poetry, Martinez returned to Hagerstown, taking jobs in hospitality, retail, and construction.[5] She then became involved with the Washington County Boys and Girls Club, and she is a mother of five children.[4]
Community mediation and political career
Community involvement
Martinez then worked as a program director at the Robert W. Johnson Community Center, getting connected with an opportunity for employment at the Washington County Community Mediation Center (WCCMC). The WCCMC provides assistance in resolving disagreements, including landlord-tenant disputes and conflicts among neighbors. Martinez then became a community mediator at WCCMC.[4]
Hagerstown City Council
Martinez ran for Hagerstown City Council in 2020. In the primary election, she placed 9th out of 13 candidates, with the 10 candidates earning the most votes advancing to the general election.[6] She then placed third in the general election in November and was elected to the City Council.[7]
While serving out her Council term from 2020 to 2023, Martinez focused on helping the Jonathan Street community and cooperating with the Hagerstown Police Department to address public safety.[4]
Hagerstown Mayoralty
Former Hagerstown Mayor Emily Keller was appointed to serve as Special Secretary of Opioid Response in Maryland Governor Wes Moore's administration on January 17, 2023. After Keller's resignation in January 2023, Martinez was then selected and appointed as Hagerstown's first Black mayor on February 7, 2023.[2]
As Mayor of Hagerstown, Martinez has focused on implementing the existing strategic plan from Mayor Keller's administration.[2] Her top priorities are on community engagement and public safety, such as the establishment of a field house and indoor facility as a preventative program for youth.[5]
2024 congressional campaign
In July 2023, Martinez filed to run for Congress in Maryland's 6th congressional district.[1] She announced her campaign on July 12, 2023 in Hagerstown.[8]
Electoral history
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiara Burnett | 6,840 | 13.8 | |
| Kristin Aleshire (incumbent) | 6,178 | 12.5 | |
| Tekesha Martinez | 5,601 | 11.3 | |
| Shelley McIntire | 5,380 | 10.8 | |
| Bob Bruchey (former Mayor of Hagerstown) | 4,770 | 9.6 | |
| Peter Perini, Sr. | 4,717 | 9.5 | |
| Brooke Grossman | 4,293 | 8.7 | |
| Penny May Nigh | 4,024 | 8.1 | |
| Austin Hefffernan | 3,817 | 7.7 | |
| Brenda Thiam | 3,772 | 7.6 | |
| All others | 202 | 0.4 | |
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kristin Aleshire (incumbent) | 3,762 | 13.2 | |
| Shelley McIntire | 3,052 | 10.7 | |
| Bob Bruchey (former Mayor of Hagerstown) | 2,517 | 8.8 | |
| Tiara Burnett | 2,513 | 8.8 | |
| Penny May Nigh | 2,451 | 8.6 | |
| Brenda Thiam | 2,420 | 8.5 | |
| Peter Perini, Sr. | 2,021 | 7.1 | |
| Austin Heffernan | 1,990 | 7.0 | |
| Tekesha Martinez | 1,972 | 6.9 | |
| Brooke Grossman | 1,907 | 6.7 | |
| Chip Snyder | 1,825 | 6.4 | |
| Matthew Schindler | 1,586 | 5.5 | |
| Travis Aaron Sites | 585 | 2.0 | |
References
- ^ a b "FEC Form 2: Statement of Candidacy". Federal Election Commission. July 11, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Hagerstown appoints first Black mayor". FOX 5 DC. February 8, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
- ^ Davis, Roshan (February 1, 2022). "Highlighting Hagerstown's history-making city councilwomen". DC News Now]]. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
- ^ a b c d McMillion, Dave (June 12, 2023). "She once hated Hagerstown. Why? An in-depth interview with Mayor Tekesha Martinez". The Herald-Mail. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
- ^ a b "Hagerstown Mayor Martinez says her superpower is listening". March 13, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
- ^ Fitzpatrick, Alexis (November 13, 2020). "Washington County youths help organize successful local political campaign". The Herald-Mail. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ a b "Official 2020 Presidential General Election results for Washington County". December 4, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ Ford, William; Kurtz, Josh. "Political notes: Hagerstown mayor to run for 6th District seat, O's advocacy in D.C." Maryland Matters.
- ^ "Official 2020 Presidential Primary Election results for Washington County". July 2, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
External links
