Jim Martin (Georgia politician)

James Francis Martin (born August 22, 1945) is an American politician and former Democratic Party member of the Georgia General Assembly. 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]

For other people named Jim Martin, see Jim Martin (disambiguation).

Jim Martin
Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
from the 47th district
In office
1983–2001
Personal details
Born
James Francis Martin

(1945-08-22) August 22, 1945
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Joan Martin
ResidenceAtlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Georgia
University of Georgia School of Law
Georgia State University
ProfessionAttorney
Websitewww.martinforsenate.com
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Battles/warsVietnam War

Early life, education, and military service

Martin was born in Atlanta, Georgia and grew up in a family of six boys. As a child he contracted polio.

In 1963, after graduating from Atlanta's public school system, he enrolled at the University of Georgia, where he was elected freshman class president. He was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity at the University of Georgia as was his political opponent Senator Saxby Chambliss.[2] After earning his bachelor's and J.D. degrees at Georgia, he entered the U.S. Army and completed a tour of duty in Vietnam.[2]

After his return from the war, Martin re-enrolled at the University of Georgia and earned an LL.M. degree, subsequently working as a private attorney and as assistant legislative counsel to the Georgia General Assembly.[3] In 1980, he earned an M.B.A. from Georgia State University.

Political career

Georgia House of Representatives

Martin won a special election to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1983. He served in the Assembly from 1983 to 2001, winning re-election 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.[4]

In September 2001, Martin 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.[5]

From 2004 to 2005, Martin served as the Chief Legal Officer of the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council.

2006 Georgia Lieutenant Governor election
Main article: 2006 Georgia statewide elections

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.[6]

From 2007 to 2008, Martin was an Executive Fellow at the Georgia State University Andrew Young School of Policy Studies.

2008 United States Senate election

On March 19, 2008, Martin launched his campaign for U.S. Senate against incumbent Republican senator Saxby Chambliss.[7] 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.[8]

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%.[9]

Personal life

Jim Martin has been married to Joan Martin since 1970 and has four children and four grandchildren. He is also an elder at Atlanta's Morningside Presbyterian Church (Presbyterian Church USA).[10]

References
  1. http://apnews.myway.com/article/20081203/D94QV0C00.html
  2. http://www.martinforsenate.com/about/jim_martin.html#more
  3. http://www.ajc.com/hotjobs/content/metro/stories/2008/11/23/martin.html 'The final battle of 2008', Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 23 November 2008
  4. Charles S. Bullock, III, The Georgia Political Almanac, The General Assembly 1993–94
  5. Governor Perdue Accepts Resignation of DHR Commissioner Martin, Governor's Office Press Release, September 16, 2003
  6. Former Gov. Roy Barnes Endorses Jim Martin, Democratic Candidate for Lieutenant Governor, News Blaze, July 8, 2006
  7. Democrat Jim Martin announces for U.S. Senate, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 19, 2008
  8. Rachel Kapochunas (August 5, 2008). "Martin Wins Georgia Dem Runoff, Will Challenge Sen. Chambliss". Congressional Quarterly. Archived from the original on September 18, 2008. Retrieved August 5, 2008.
  9. "Local and National Election Results - Election Center 2008 - Elections & Politics from CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved May 6, 2010.
  10. Jim Martin Project Vote Smart
Georgia House of Representatives
Preceded by
Sidney Marcus		 Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
from the 26th district
1983–1993		 Succeeded by
Charlie Watts
Preceded by
Tom Sherrill		 Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
from the 47th district
1993–2001		 Succeeded by
Pat Gardner
Party political offices
Preceded by
Mark Taylor		 Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia
2006		 Succeeded by
Carol Porter
Preceded by
Max Cleland		 Democratic Party nominee for United States Senator from Georgia (Class 2)
2008		 Succeeded by
Michelle Nunn


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