W. Ken Martinez

W. Ken Martinez (born February 12, 1959) is an American attorney and politician who served as a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives from 1998 to 2016. He served as House Majority Leader from 2005 to 2013. That year, he was elected as Speaker of the House, and served until 2015.

W. Ken Martinez
22nd Speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives
In office
2012–2015
Preceded byBen Luján
Succeeded byDon Tripp
Member of the New Mexico House of Representatives
from the 69th district
In office
1998 – September 9, 2016
Succeeded byHarry Garcia
Personal details
Born
Walter Kenneth Martinez, Jr.

(1959-02-12) February 12, 1959
Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
RelationsWalter K. Martinez (father)
EducationUniversity of New Mexico (BA)
University of Notre Dame (JD)

Early life and education

Martinez was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on February 12, 1959 into a political family. His parents were Walter K. Martinez and Dolores Martinez.[1] He is Roman Catholic.[2] His father was a member of a group of Hispanic and liberal Anglo legislators called the Mama Lucy Gang, who controlled the New Mexico House of Representatives in the early-1970s. He served as House Speaker from 1971 to 1978.[3]

Martinez earned a bachelor's degree from the University of New Mexico in 1981 and a Juris Doctor from the Notre Dame Law School in 1984.[3] His siblings also went into law. His older sister, Camille Olguin, became a state district judge, and his younger brother, Kevin Martinez, became a lawyer.[3]

Career

Martinez was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives in 1998, taking office in 1999 and serving to the present. [3]

In the June 1, 2010 Democratic primary Martinez was elected by 2,130 votes. He was unopposed in the November 2, 2010 general election for the 69th District, winning with 5,379 votes.[4]

Martinez served as House majority leader for eight years up to 2013.[5] Martinez was elected as Speaker of the House in 2012, sworn in by Governor Susana Martínez on 15 January 2013.[6] He served until 2015, when he was In 2014 he was still speaker of the house.[7] Martinez resigned from office in 2016 and was succeeded by Harry Garcia.

He was co-chair of the legislative council, capitol buildings planning commission and jobs council.[8] He was a member of legislative committees on Labor and Human Resources, Rules and Order of Business, and Voters and Elections.[9]

Personal life

As of 2014, Martinez was married and resident in Grants, New Mexico.[2] Martinez operates a law practice with his brother in Albuquerque.[5]

References
    1. Unterburger & Delgado 1994, p. 505.
    2. Rep. W. Ken Martinez (D-NM 69th District).
    3. Lenderman 2005.
    4. New Mexico House of Representatives elections, 2010, Ballotpedia.
    5. Speaker Ken W. Martinez Leadership Fund, Democracy.com.
    6. Boyd 2013.
    7. Reichbach 2014.
    8. Representative W. Ken Martinez - (D), NM Legislature.
    9. Ken Martinez's Biography, Vote Smart.

    Sources
    • Boyd, Dan (January 15, 2013). "Breaking: Rep. Ken Martinez Elected House Speaker". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved 2014-10-22.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
    • "Ken Martinez's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2014-10-22.
    • Lenderman, Andy (January 28, 2005). "Rising Star: Father's Example Looms Large for House Majority Leader". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved 2014-10-22.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
    • "New Mexico House of Representatives elections, 2010". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2014-10-22.
    • Reichbach, Matthew (February 12, 2014). "Speaker on budget: Not quite there yet, not on floor tomorrow". New Mexico Telegram. Retrieved 2014-10-22.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
    • "Rep. W. Ken Martinez (D-NM 69th District)". AVMA. Retrieved 2014-10-22.
    • "Representative W. Ken Martinez - (D)". New Mexico Legislature. Retrieved 2014-10-22.
    • "Speaker Ken W. Martinez Leadership Fund". Democracy.com. Retrieved 2014-10-22.
    • Unterburger, Amy L; Delgado, Jane L (1994). Who's who Among Hispanic Americans. Gale Research. ISBN 978-0-8103-8550-4. Retrieved 2014-10-22.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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