Matthew G. Martínez

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Marty Martínez
U.S. House of Representatives
from California
In office
July 13, 1982 – January 3, 2001
Preceded byGeorge E. Danielson
Succeeded byHilda Solis
Constituency30th district (1982–93)
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
Born(1929-02-14)February 14, 1929
Walsenburg, Colorado, U.S.
DiedOctober 15, 2011(2011-10-15) (aged 82)
Fredericksburg, Virginia, U.S.
Political partyRepublican (Before 1974, 2000–2011)
Democratic (1974–2000)
ChildrenDiane Martinez (daughter)
EducationLos Angeles Trade-Technical College
Military service
Branch/service 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

Martínez's family moved to

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

He began his political career in 1971 when he became a member of the

City Council
. He served until 1980, including two terms as mayor in 1974 and 1980.

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]

In 1982

special election
to succeed him, and was reelected nine times by varying margins.

In his first term in Congress he was assigned to the

Foreign Affairs Committee
, and served on the Subcommittee on International Security, International Organizations and Human Rights.

In 2000, Martínez was defeated in the Democratic primary by liberal State Senator

National Rifle Association of America.)[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

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

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

Memberships

See also

References

  1. ^ "Matthew G. 'Marty' Martinez dies at 82; former congressman". 21 October 2011 – via LA Times.
  2. ^ a b Simon, Richard; Antonio Olivo (2000-02-23). "Two Incumbent Congressmen Facing Tough Challenges". Los Angeles Times. p. B-1. Archived from the original on 2012-10-08. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
  3. ^ Vassar, Alex; Shane Meyers. "11-04-1980 Election". JoinCalifornia. One Voter Project. Archived from the original on 2007-02-22. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  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. 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

External links

California Assembly
Preceded by Member of the California Assembly
from the 59th district
December 1, 1980 - July 15, 1982 		Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 30th congressional district

1982–1993 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
1985–1986 		Succeeded by
Esteban Edward Torres
Preceded by
Mervyn M. Dymally
 Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 31st congressional district

1993–2001 		Succeeded by
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