Jack Martins

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 received a bachelor's degree in political science from American University in 1988. Martins went on to complete a Juris Doctor from St. John's University School of Law in 1991.

Martins was elected mayor of the Village of Mineola, New York in 2003.

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

File:(01-13-25) NYS Senator Jack Martins (54264133077).jpg

Martins won election to the New York State Senate in 2010 as the representative for New York's 7th State Senate district. He defeated incumbent Democratic senator Craig M. Johnson by 451 votes.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/appeals-court-backs-martins-state-senate-win-1.2555446|title=Court backs Martins win, GOP takes NY Senate|website=Newsday}} The election results were not certified until December 4, 2010.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/johnson-to-appeal-ruling-of-martins-victory-1.2522022|title=Johnson to appeal ruling of Martins victory|first1=William|last1=Murphy|first2=Reid J. |last2=Epstein|date=December 6, 2010 |website=Newsday}} Johnson challenged the results and demanded a hand recount, but the New York Court of Appeals rejected his appeal on December 20, 2010.

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.{{cite web|last=Santa| first=John|title= Martins leads MTA tax repeal initiative|url=http://www.theislandnow.com/new_hyde_park/news/article_ba85538a-5338-11e1-8541-0019bb2963f4.html|work= New Hyde Park Herald Courier|publisher=The Island Now|date=February 9, 2012}} He authored laws reducing busing costs for school districts;{{cite web|last=Nash| first=Jackie|title=Schools cut bus costs, rev up savings|url=http://liherald.com/stories/Schools-cut-bus-costs-rev-up-savings,36520|publisher=LI Herald|date=October 25, 2011}} creating a truss notification system to improve safety for volunteer firefighters;{{cite web|last=O'Reilly|first=Anthony|title=Cuomo signs bill to protect firefighters|url=http://m.theislandnow.com/mobile/great_neck/cuomo-signs-bill-to-protect-firefighters/article_1950d77c-44c7-11e4-be3d-e38a1a19a274.html|publisher=The Island Now|date=September 25, 2014|access-date=January 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304124539/http://m.theislandnow.com/mobile/great_neck/cuomo-signs-bill-to-protect-firefighters/article_1950d77c-44c7-11e4-be3d-e38a1a19a274.html|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead}} and establishing a new state fund to help homeless veterans.{{cite web|last=Brodsky| first=Robert|title=New year brings new laws for Long Island residents|url=http://www.newsday.com/long-island/new-year-brings-new-laws-for-long-island-residents-1.9764382|work=Newsday|date=December 31, 2014}}

In 2011, Martins voted against allowing same-sex marriage in New York during rollcall for the Marriage Equality Act, which narrowly passed, legalizing it by 33 to 29.{{cite web |last1=Johnston |first1=Garth |title=FINALLY: NY State Senate Passes Gay Marriage |url=https://gothamist.com/news/finally-ny-state-senate-passes-gay-marriage |website=gothamist.com |access-date=May 31, 2022 |date=June 24, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/a8354-2011|title=A8354-2011 – NY Senate Open Legislation – Enacts the Marriage Equality Act relating to ability of individuals to marry – New York State Senate|work=nysenate.gov|access-date=February 20, 2015}}

Martins was highly critical of the New York State Education Department's implementation of the Common Core standards{{cite web|title= Emotions High At Common Core Forums On Long Island|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/11/13/emotions-high-at-common-core-forum-on-long-island|work= CBS New York|date=November 13, 2013}} and called for the resignation of the State's Commissioner of Education for cancelling public forums on the issue with parents and teachers.{{cite web|title= Resume Common Core forums: Martins|url= http://www.theislandnow.com/news/resume-common-core-forums-martins/article_f2b78ecc-373d-11e3-9aa4-0019bb2963f4.html|work= the Island Now|date= October 17, 2013|access-date= January 13, 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304141949/http://www.theislandnow.com/news/resume-common-core-forums-martins/article_f2b78ecc-373d-11e3-9aa4-0019bb2963f4.html|archive-date= March 4, 2016|url-status= dead}} 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.{{cite web|last=Roy| first=Yancey|title=Martins tops LI delegation in bills passed, ranks second overall|url=http://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/spin-cycle/martins-tops-li-delegation-in-bills-passed-ranks-second-overall-1.8613827|work=Newsday|date=June 30, 2014}}

In February 2016, Martins and state Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel called for new state funding to support a comprehensive groundwater study for Long Island.{{cite web|last=Barrios| first=Jennifer|title=Nassau County groundwater study needed, legislators say|url=http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/nassau-county-groundwater-study-needed-legislators-say-1.11474768|work=Newsday|date=February 15, 2016}} An expanded version of their proposal was adopted by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.{{cite web|title= Cuomo plan includes $6 million study for Long Island drinking water |url=http://www.theislandnow.com/great_neck/news/cuomo-plan-includes-million-study-for-long-island-drinking-water/article_05b3eeda-dbe2-11e5-a706-dbfb51f19370.html|work= the Island Now|date=February 25, 2016}}

Martins sponsored legislation that would prevent New York from entering into a state contract or investment with those who boycott Israel or other American allies.{{cite web|last=Gormley| first=Michael|title=Senate acts first to boycott companies that boycott Israel|url=http://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/spin-cycle/senate-acts-first-to-boycott-companies-that-boycott-israel-1.11346836|work=Newsday|date=January 20, 2016}}

Martins served as chairman of the State Senate's Labor Committee{{cite web|title=Senate Republicans Name New Committee Chairs|url=http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2015/01/8560728/senate-republicans-name-new-committee-chairs|work=Politico New York|date=January 22, 2015}} and was co-chair of the Senate's Task Force on Workforce Development.{{cite web|title=Senate creates workforce development task force|url=http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2015-03-24-91183.113122-Senate-creates-workforce-development-task-force.html|work=Legislative Gazette|date=March 24, 2015|access-date=January 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703211116/http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2015-03-24-91183.113122-Senate-creates-workforce-development-task-force.html|archive-date=July 3, 2015|url-status=dead}} He previously chaired the Senate's Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business Committee and the Senate's Local Government Committee.{{cite web|title=Martins Takes Over Senate Commerce Committee, His Second Chairmanship|url=http://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/spin-cycle/martins-takes-over-senate-commerce-committee-his-second-chairmanship-1.7462060|work=Newsday|date=March 21, 2014}} 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.{{cite web|last=Callegari| first=John|title= Martins to sit on NY Mandate Relief Council|url=http://libn.com/2012/01/24/martins-to-sit-on-ny-mandate-relief-council/|work=Long Island Business News|date=January 24, 2012}}

Martins did not seek re-election to the State Senate in 2016; instead, he ran for Congress and was defeated.

In November 2022, Martins ran for State Senate in District 7 and defeated Democratic incumbent Anna Kaplan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cityandstateny.com/personality/2022/11/state-senator-elect-jack-martins-why-long-island-went-red/379626/|title=State Senator-elect Jack Martins on why Long Island went red|date=November 10, 2022|website=City & State NY}}

Martins was the Republican nominee in the 2016 election to represent New York's 3rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives, and received the endorsement of the Republican Party, Conservative Party and the Independence Party.{{cite news|last1=Brand|first1=Rick|title=Jack Martins wins GOP, Conservative backing for Congress|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/jack-martins-wins-gop-conservative-backing-for-congress-a85508|access-date=September 21, 2024|publisher=Newsday|date=March 8, 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Brand|first1=Rick|title=Jack Martins Backed By Independence Party for House Seat|url=http://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/spin-cycle/independence-party-backs-state-sen-jack-martins-for-house-seat-1.11568181|access-date=June 15, 2016|publisher=Newsday|date=March 12, 2016}} Martins was defeated by Democrat Tom Suozzi in the general election. Suozzi won 53% of the vote to Martins' 47%.{{Cite web|url=http://qns.com/story/2016/11/09/tom-suozzi-victorious-jack-martins-race-fill-steve-israels-congressional-seat/|title=Tom Suozzi victorious over Jack Martins in race to fill Steve Israel's Congressional seat - QNS.com|website=qns.com|date=November 9, 2016 |access-date=2016-11-10}}{{cite news|title=New York U.S. House 3rd District Results: Thomas Suozzi Wins|url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/new-york-house-district-3-suozzi-martins|access-date=16 November 2016|work=The New York Times|date=November 16, 2016}}

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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/jack-martins-to-run-for-nassau-county-executive-1.13519136|title=Martins to run for Nassau County executive|website=Newsday}} Martins was narrowly defeated by the Democratic nominee, Nassau County legislator Laura Curran, in the November 7, 2017, election; Curran won 51% of the vote to Martins' 48%.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/new-york-general-elections|title=Election Results: De Blasio Wins Second Term as New York City Mayor|work=The New York Times |date=December 20, 2017|via=NYTimes.com}}

Amid calls for newly seated congressman George Santos to resign, Martins was mentioned as a possible replacement. After George Santos was expelled in December 2023, Martins decided to not seek the GOP nomination for the 2024 special election.{{Cite web |last=Bickerton |first=James |date=2023-01-11 |title=George Santos resign calls grow as Republicans line up replacement |url=https://www.newsweek.com/george-santos-resign-calls-grow-republicans-line-replacement-1773037 |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Who might be eyeing George Santos' congressional seat? |url=https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2023/01/who-might-be-eyeing-george-santos-congressional-seat/381628/ |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=City & State NY |date=January 11, 2023 |language=en}}

As of 2018, Martins is a board member of the Henry Viscardi School.{{cite web|title= Viscardi Center & Abilities Inc. add to boards|url=https://libn.com/moversandshakers/2018/08/10/viscardi-center-abilities-inc-add-to-boards/|work=Long Island Business News|date=August 10, 2018}} He is a recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, the Lions Club's highest honor.{{cite web|title=Portuguese Lions Club e 'Leos' Club assinalaram mais um ano de actividade|url=https://www.lusoamericano.com/?p=2206|work=Luso Americano|date=November 2, 2014}} 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.{{cite web|last=Tedesco|first=Richard|title=County Honors Martins on Portugal Day|url=http://www.theislandnow.com/williston_park/news/article_aa69a38a-b665-11e1-99a4-001a4bcf887a.html|work=Williston Times|publisher=The Island Now|access-date=July 14, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404203733/http://www.theislandnow.com/williston_park/news/article_aa69a38a-b665-11e1-99a4-001a4bcf887a.html|archive-date=April 4, 2016|df=mdy-all}} He and his wife, Paula, have four daughters.

{{Election box begin no change|title=2008 New York's 4th congressional district election{{cite web |url=https://results.elections.ny.gov/contest/3522|title=New York State Official Election Night Results |publisher=New York Board of Elections |access-date=March 25, 2025}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Carolyn McCarthy|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=151,792|percentage=59.2}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Carolyn McCarthy|party=Independence Party of New York|votes=7,318|percentage=2.9}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Carolyn McCarthy|party=Working Families Party|votes=4,918|percentage=1.9}}

{{Election box winning candidate no change|candidate=Carolyn McCarthy|party=Total|votes=164028|percentage=64.0}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Jack Martins|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=84,444|percentage=33.0}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Jack Martins|party=Conservative Party of New York State|votes=7,798|percentage=3.0}}

{{Election box candidate no change|candidate=Jack Martins|party=Total|votes=149,577|percentage=36.0}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=256,270|percentage=100.0}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change|winner=Democratic Party (United States)}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2016 New York's 3rd congressional district election{{cite web |url=http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2016/General/Congress_11082016_Amend12212016.pdf |title=New York State Official Election Night Results |publisher=New York Board of Elections |access-date=December 28, 2016 |archive-date=December 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229034451/http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2016/General/Congress_11082016_Amend12212016.pdf |url-status=dead}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|candidate=Tom Suozzi|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=167,758|percentage=52.9}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Jack Martins|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=131,534|percentage=41.4}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Jack Martins|party=Conservative Party of New York State|votes=16,134|percentage=5.1}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Jack Martins|party=Reform Party (United States)|votes=1,909|percentage=0.6}}

{{Election box candidate no change|candidate=Jack Martins|party=Total|votes=149,577|percentage=47.1}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=317,335|percentage=100.0}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change|winner=Democratic Party (United States)}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2010 New York's 7th senatorial district election{{cite web|url=http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2010/general/2010SenateAmended01272011.pdf

|title=General Election Results, State Senate: November 2, 2010 |publisher=New York State Board of Elections

|date=December 13, 2010

|access-date=April 12, 2011

|url-status=dead

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823020536/http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2010/general/2010SenateAmended01272011.pdf

|archive-date=August 23, 2012

}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Jack Martins|votes=36,349|percentage=42.6}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Conservative Party of New York State|candidate=Jack Martins|votes=4,620|percentage=5.4}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Independence Party of New York|candidate=Jack Martins|votes=1,959|percentage=2.3}}

{{Election box candidate no change|party=Total|candidate=Jack Martins|votes=42928|percentage=50.3}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Craig M. Johnson (incumbent)|votes=42,477|percentage=49.7}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=85405|percentage=100.0}}

{{Election box gain with party link no change|winner=Republican Party (United States)|loser=Democratic Party (United States)}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2012 New York's 7th senatorial district election{{cite web

|url= http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2012/General/SD_07292013.pdf

|title= General Election Results, State Senate: November 6, 2012

|publisher= New York State Board of Elections

|date= December 31, 2012

|access-date= January 12, 2014

|archive-date= July 23, 2015

|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150723212111/http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2012/General/SD_07292013.pdf

|url-status= dead

}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Jack Martins|votes=49,647|percentage=44.3}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Conservative Party of New York State|candidate=Jack Martins|votes=5,837|percentage=5.2}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Independence Party of New York|candidate=Jack Martins|votes=2,173|percentage=1.9}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Tax Revolt Party|candidate=Jack Martins|votes=382|percentage=0.3}}

{{Election box candidate no change|party=Total|candidate=Jack Martins (incumbent)|votes=58,039|percentage=51.8}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Daniel S. Ross|votes=51,419|percentage=45.9}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Working Families Party|candidate=Daniel S. Ross|votes=2,568|percentage=2.3}}

{{Election box candidate no change|party=Total|candidate=Daniel S. Ross|votes=53,987|percentage=48.2}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=112,026|percentage=100.0}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change|winner=Republican Party (United States)}}

{{Election box end}}{{Election box begin no change|title=2014 New York's 7th senatorial district election{{cite web

|url= http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2014/general/2014Senate.pdf

|title= General Election Results, State Senate: November 4, 2014

|publisher= New York State Board of Elections

|date= December 15, 2014

|access-date= January 9, 2015

|archive-date= January 10, 2015

|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150110022617/http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2014/general/2014Senate.pdf

|url-status= dead

}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Jack Martins|votes=34,636|percentage=48.6}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Conservative Party of New York State|candidate=Jack Martins|votes=4,193|percentage=5.9}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Independence Party of New York|candidate=Jack Martins|votes=1,365|percentage=1.9}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Tax Revolt Party|candidate=Jack Martins|votes=271|percentage=0.4}}

{{Election box candidate no change|party=Total|candidate=Jack Martins (incumbent)|votes=40,465|percentage=56.7}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Adam M. Haber|votes=28,405|percentage=39.8}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Working Families Party|candidate=Adam M. Haber|votes=1,714|percentage=2.4}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Women's Equality Party (New York)|candidate=Adam M. Haber|votes=754|percentage=1.1}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Green Party (New York)|candidate=Adam M. Haber|votes=679|percentage=1.0}}

{{Election box candidate no change|party=Total|candidate=Adam M. Haber|votes=30,873|percentage=48.2}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=71,338|percentage=100.0}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change|winner=Republican Party (United States)}}

{{Election box end}}{{Election box begin no change|title=2022 New York's 7th senatorial district election{{cite web

|url= https://results.elections.ny.gov/contest/37

|title= General Election Results, State Senate: November 4, 2014

|publisher= New York State Board of Elections

|date= December 15, 2014

|access-date= January 9, 2015

}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Jack Martins|votes=60,372|percentage=49.2}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Conservative Party of New York State|candidate=Jack Martins|votes=4,903|percentage=4.0}}

{{Election box candidate no change|party=Total|candidate=Jack Martins|votes=65275|percentage=53.2}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Anna Kaplan|votes=55,243|percentage=45.0}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Working Families Party|candidate=Anna Kaplan|votes=2,204|percentage=1.8}}

{{Election box candidate no change|party=Total|candidate=Anna Kaplan|votes=57447|percentage=46.8}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=122722|percentage=100.0}}

{{Election box gain with party link no change|winner=Republican Party (United States)|loser=Democratic Party (United States)}}

{{Election box end}}{{Election box begin no change|title=2024 New York's 7th senatorial district election}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Jack Martins|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=82,154|percentage=51.3}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Jack Martins|party=Conservative Party of New York State|votes=6,099|percentage=3.8}}

{{Election box candidate no change|candidate=Jack Martins (incumbent)|party=Total|votes=88,253|percentage=55.1}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Kim Keiserman|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=71,700|percentage=44.8}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change|votes=251|percentage=0.1}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=160,204|percentage=100.0}}

{{Election box end}}

2017 Nassau County executive election

{{reflist|refs=

{{cite web

|url= http://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/martins-leaving-mineola-for-albany-1.2517517

|title= Martins leaving Mineola for Albany

|work= Newsday

|first= Kathleen |last= Kerr

|date= December 4, 2010

|access-date= March 13, 2011}}

{{cite web

|url= http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/appeals-court-backs-martins-state-senate-win-1.2555446

|title= Appeals court backs Martins State Senate win

|work= Newsday

|first= Reid J. |last= Epstein

|date= December 20, 2010

|access-date= March 13, 2011}}

}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-par|us-ny-sen}}

{{s-bef|before=Craig M. Johnson}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the New York Senate
from the 7th district|years=2011–2016}}

{{s-aft|after=Elaine Phillips}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Anna Kaplan}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the New York Senate
from the 7th district|years=2023–present}}

{{s-inc}}

{{s-end}}

{{New York State Senate}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Martins, Jack M.}}

Category:1967 births

Category:American people of Portuguese descent

Category:American University School of Public Affairs alumni

Category:Catholics from New York (state)

Category:Chaminade High School alumni

Category:Living people

Category:Mayors of places in New York (state)

Category:New York (state) lawyers

Category:People from Long Island

Category:Republican Party New York (state) state senators

Category:St. John's University School of Law alumni

Category:21st-century members of the New York State Legislature