Jack Martins

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Jack M. Martins
Jack Martins Headshot.png
Member of the New York State Senate
from the 7th district
In office
January 1, 2011 – December 31, 2016
Preceded byCraig M. Johnson
Succeeded byElaine Phillips
Mayor of Mineola
In office
January 1, 2004 – December 31, 2011
Personal details
Born (1967-06-19) June 19, 1967 (age 54)
Queens, New York
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Paula[1]
Children4[1]
ResidenceWestbury, New York, U.S.
Alma materAmerican University
St. John's University School of Law[1]
ProfessionLawyer, politician

Joaquim "Jack" M. Martins is an American attorney and former New York State Senator who is a partner at the law firm Harris Beach.[2] A Republican, he was first elected to represent the 7th Senate District in the New York State Senate in 2010[3] and served until December 31, 2016. He was the Republican nominee in the 2016 election to represent New York's 3rd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, losing to Democrat Thomas Suozzi in the general election.[4] Martins ran on the Republican Party Line, the Tax Revolt Party Line, and the Reform Party Line in the November 2017 election for Nassau County Executive, narrowly losing to Laura Curran.[5]

Early life and education[]

Martins is a first-generation Portuguese American. He was born in Queens, New York to parents who emigrated to the United States in the 1960s. He has two brothers and two sisters and was raised in Mineola. Upon graduating from Chaminade High School, he continued his schooling at the collegiate level and received a bachelor's degree in political science from American University in 1988. Additionally, Martins received a Juris Doctor from St. John's University School of Law in 1991.[6]

Political career[]

Mayor of Mineola[]

Martins was elected Mayor of the Village of Mineola, New York in 2003.[6] During his mayoral tenure, Mineola's comprehensive master plan received a Smart Growth Award from Vision Long Island.[7] He was named one of Long Island Business News' "Top 40 Under 40" in 2007.[8]

2008 congressional campaign[]

In 2008, Martins ran for Congress against incumbent Democratic U.S. Representative Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola). He was defeated by a wide margin.[6]

New York State Senate (2011–2016)[]

Martins won election to the New York State Senate in 2010 as the representative for the Seventh Senate District (SD-7). He defeated incumbent Democratic senator Craig M. Johnson by 451 votes.[9] The election results were not certified until December 4, 2010.[10] Johnson challenged the results and demanded a hand recount, but the New York Court of Appeals rejected his appeal on December 20, 2010.[9]

As Senator, Martins voted for the law creating New York State's property tax cap, voted to cut income taxes for middle-class homeowners, voted to repeal the MTA payroll tax for small businesses and schools, and supported repealing the MTA payroll tax in its entirety.[11][12] He authored laws reducing busing costs for school districts;[13] creating a truss notification system to improve safety for volunteer firefighters;[14] and establishing a new state fund to help homeless veterans.[15]

Martins was highly critical of the New York State Education Department's implementation of the Common Core standards[16] and called for the resignation of the State's Commissioner of Education for cancelling public forums on the issue with parents and teachers.[17] While in the Senate, Martins repeatedly led Long Island's 31 state legislators in the number of bills sponsored that were ultimately passed by both houses of the State Legislature.[18][19]

In February 2016, Martins and Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel called for new state funding to support a comprehensive groundwater study for Long Island.[20] An expanded version of their proposal was adopted by Governor Andrew Cuomo.[21]

Martins urged officials to take action in response to incidents of anti-Semitism against students and faculty on CUNY campuses[22][23][24] and sponsored legislation that would prevent New York from entering into a state contract or investment with those who boycott Israel or other American allies.[25]

Martins served as Chairman of the State Senate's Labor Committee[26] and was Co-Chair of the Senate's Task Force on Workforce Development.[27] He previously chaired the Senate's Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business Committee and the Senate's Local Government Committee.[28] Martins also served on the New York State Mandate Relief Council, which was created to help reduce costs for local governments and school districts by eliminating or reforming regulations.[29]

Martins was named one of the 50 Most Influential Long Islanders by the Long Island Press in 2011.[30]

2016 congressional campaign[]

Martins ran in the 2016 Election to represent New York's 3rd Congressional District (CD-3) in the United States House of Representatives, and received the endorsement of the Republican Party, Conservative Party and the Independence Party.[31][32] Martins was defeated by Democrat Thomas Suozzi in the general election. Suozzi won 53% of the vote to Martins' 47%.[33]

2017 Nassau County Executive campaign[]

On April 26, 2017, Martins announced that he would run for Nassau County Executive. Martins received the GOP nomination for County Executive and was uncontested in the primary.[34] Martins was defeated by the Democratic nominee, Nassau County Legislator Laura Curran, on November 7, 2017 election; Curran won 51% of the vote to Martins' 48%.[35]

Personal life[]

As of 2018, Martins is a board member of the Henry Viscardi School.[36] He is a recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, the Lions Club's highest honor.[37] He was honored as the 2012 Portuguese Man of the Year during Nassau County's first ever public event recognizing the Portuguese Community on Long Island.[38] He and his wife, Paula, have four daughters.[39]

Election results[]

  • November 2017 General Election, Nassau County Executive
Jack Martins (REP - Reform Party - TRP - CON) - 139,204
Laura Curran (DEM) - 147,102
  • November 2016 General Election, US House of Representatives, 3rd CD[40]
Jack Martins (REP - IND - CON) ... 152,304
Thomas R. Suozzi (DEM) ... 171,775
  • November 2014 General Election, NYS Senate, 7th SD[41]
Jack M. Martins (REP - IND - CON - Tax Revolt Party (TRP)) ... 40,465
Adam M. Haber (DEM - WFP - GRE - Women's Equality Party(WEP)) ... 31,552
  • November 2012 General Election, NYS Senate, 7th SD[42]
Jack M. Martins (REP - IND - CON - Tax Revolt Party (TRP)) ... 58,039
Daniel S. Ross (DEM - WFP) ... 53,987
  • November 2010 General Election, NYS Senate, 7th SD[43]
Jack M. Martins (REP - IND - CON) ... 42,928
Craig M. Johnson (DEM) ... 42,477

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Jack M. Martins: Biography". New York State Senate. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  2. ^ Madore, James (March 12, 2018). "Jack Martins named partner at Harris Beach law firm". Newsday.
  3. ^ Epstein, Reid (December 20, 2010). "Appeals court backs Martins State Senate win". Newsday. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  4. ^ "Tom Suozzi victorious over Jack Martins in race to fill Steve Israel's Congressional seat - QNS.com". qns.com. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  5. ^ Pm, 2017 2:34. "Curran wins Nassau executive race as Martins concedes". Newsday.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ a b c Kerr, Kathleen (December 4, 2010). "Martins leaving Mineola for Albany". Newsday. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  7. ^ "Village of Mineola Honored for Master Plan". Mineola American. June 23, 2006. Archived from the original on October 11, 2008. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  8. ^ "40 Under 40 Awards 2007". Long Island Business News. January 2, 2007.
  9. ^ a b "Court backs Martins win, GOP takes NY Senate". Newsday.
  10. ^ Murphy, William; Pm, 2010 8:43. "Johnson to appeal ruling of Martins victory". Newsday.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ Walter, Geoffrey (December 15, 2011). "How Do You Spell Relief? T-A-X C-U-T-S". Mineola Patch.
  12. ^ Santa, John (February 9, 2012). "Martins leads MTA tax repeal initiative". New Hyde Park Herald Courier. The Island Now.
  13. ^ Nash, Jackie (October 25, 2011). "Schools cut bus costs, rev up savings". LI Herald.
  14. ^ O'Reilly, Anthony (September 25, 2014). "Cuomo signs bill to protect firefighters". The Island Now. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  15. ^ Brodsky, Robert (December 31, 2014). "New year brings new laws for Long Island residents". Newsday.
  16. ^ "Emotions High At Common Core Forums On Long Island". CBS New York. November 13, 2013.
  17. ^ "Resume Common Core forums: Martins". the Island Now. October 17, 2013. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  18. ^ Roy, Yancey (June 30, 2014). "Martins tops LI delegation in bills passed, ranks second overall". Newsday.
  19. ^ Jacques, Rich (July 18, 2013). "Report: Martins Tops All LI Lawmakers in Getting Two-house Bills Passed". Port Washington Patch.
  20. ^ Barrios, Jennifer (February 15, 2016). "Nassau County groundwater study needed, legislators say". Newsday.
  21. ^ "Cuomo plan includes $6 million study for Long Island drinking water". the Island Now. February 25, 2016.
  22. ^ "State Sen. Martins: No place in colleges for people who want hate". Varney & Co. March 18, 2016.
  23. ^ Lipsky, Seth (March 9, 2016). "New York's leaders must stand up to anti-Semitism at CUNY". New York Post.
  24. ^ Martins, Jack (September 14, 2016). "CUNY's cockamamie excuses for blinking at anti-Semitism". New York Post.
  25. ^ Gormley, Michael (January 20, 2016). "Senate acts first to boycott companies that boycott Israel". Newsday.
  26. ^ "Senate Republicans Name New Committee Chairs". Politico New York. January 22, 2015.
  27. ^ "Senate creates workforce development task force". Legislative Gazette. March 24, 2015. Archived from the original on July 3, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  28. ^ "Martins Takes Over Senate Commerce Committee, His Second Chairmanship". Newsday. March 21, 2014.
  29. ^ Callegari, John (January 24, 2012). "Martins to sit on NY Mandate Relief Council". Long Island Business News.
  30. ^ "Long Island Press 2011 Power List". 2011.
  31. ^ Brand, Rick (March 8, 2016). "Jack Martins wins GOP, Conservative backing for Congress". Newsday. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  32. ^ Brand, Rick (March 12, 2016). "Jack Martins Backed By Independence Party for House Seat". Newsday. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  33. ^ "New York U.S. House 3rd District Results: Thomas Suozzi Wins". The New York Times. November 16, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  34. ^ "Martins to run for Nassau County executive". Newsday.
  35. ^ "Election Results: De Blasio Wins Second Term as New York City Mayor". December 20, 2017 – via NYTimes.com.
  36. ^ "Viscardi Center & Abilities Inc. add to boards". Long Island Business News. August 10, 2018.
  37. ^ "Portuguese Lions Club e 'Leos' Club assinalaram mais um ano de actividade". Luso Americano. November 2, 2014.
  38. ^ Tedesco, Richard. "County Honors Martins on Portugal Day". Williston Times. The Island Now. Archived from the original on April 4, 2016. Retrieved July 14, 2012.
  39. ^ Epstein, Reid J. (December 20, 2010). "Appeals court backs Martins State Senate win". Newsday. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  40. ^ "General Election Results, US Congress: November 8, 2016" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. November 9, 2016. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  41. ^ "General Election Results, State Senate: November 4, 2014" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. December 15, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  42. ^ "General Election Results, State Senate: November 6, 2012" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. December 31, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
  43. ^ "General Election Results, State Senate: November 2, 2010" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. December 13, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 23, 2012. Retrieved April 12, 2011.


New York State Senate
Preceded by New York State Senate, 7th District
2011–2016 		Succeeded by
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