Tekesha Martinez
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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 and raised five children, taking jobs in hospitality, retail, and construction.[5] She then became involved with the Washington County Boys and Girls Club.[6]
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 became a community mediator at WCCMC and went on to co-lead the program in 2019 even after the Hagerstown Community Action Council canceled the program due to funding.[6]
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.[7] She then placed third in the general election in November and was elected to the City Council.[8]
While serving out her Council term from 2020 to 2023, Martinez focused on helping the Jonathan Street community and addressing public safety.[9]
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] One project of focus is a proposed indoor sports complex aiming to draw in visitors for competitive regional athletic tournaments and promote recreation.[10]
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.[11] Martinez's campaign priorities include public safety, local economic development, homelessness, mental illness recovery programs, and public education.[12]
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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Hagerstown Mayor Martinez says her superpower is listening". March 13, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
- ^ a b Bell, Valerie (July 26, 2019). "Hagerstown's new mayor setting priorities in second week on the job". DC News Now. Retrieved July 17, 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.
- ^ Bansil, Sapna; Hamelin, Braden (July 17, 2023). "For Black community, ties to Maryland city's baseball traditions are complicated". The Daily Record. Capital News Service. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ Cohen, Steven (February 16, 2023). "Hagerstown's new mayor setting priorities in second week on the job". DC News Now. 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.
- ^ Bixby, Ginny (July 17, 2023). "Hagerstown Mayor Tekesha Martinez enters 6th Congressional District race". MoCo360. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ "Official 2020 Presidential Primary Election results for Washington County". July 2, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
External links
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- Pending AfC submissions
- Pending AfC submissions in article space
- AfC submissions by date/17 July 2023
- 21st-century African-American people
- 21st-century African-American women
- African-American women in politics
- Candidates in the 2022 United States House of Representatives elections
- Maryland Democrats
- Living people
- Women in Maryland politics