Jacob D. Martinez
Candidate for Arizona State House – District 9
Arizona · Legislative District 9
Jacob D. Martinez won the primary and is the party's nominee for the general election. Finished second of two in the July 21, 2026 Democratic primary for two LD9 House seats with about 45% of the vote; both Democrats advanced. Faces fellow Democrat Lorena Austin and Republican Bradley Bettencourt for the two seats in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Source: martinezforaz.com · Last verified: October 23, 2026
Next steps
Keep exploring
Statement
I have lived in Mesa my entire life, and have always been dedicated to serving my community. Coming from a working-class family, I know how important a strong public education system and opportunities for economic mobility are to the people in my community, as they have been for me. Over the last few years, the state legislature has drained funding to our public schools and critical social services, all while pushing a politicized agenda and allowing corporations to drive up the cost of housing, healthcare, and utilities in our state. I'm running to help build an Arizona that works for all of us, not just a few. An Arizona that we can all afford. I believe LD9 deserves a representative who listens, shows up, and works every day to deliver real results.
Biography
Jacob Martinez is a lifelong Mesa resident, graduate of Mesa Public Schools and ASU Law, and a first-time legislative candidate. He recently began working as an attorney at a Phoenix law firm and serves in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He previously ran unsuccessfully for the Mesa Public Schools Governing Board. His listed priorities are affordability, public school funding, affordable housing, and water protection. His campaign lists endorsements from U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, Attorney General Kris Mayes, U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton, Tempe Mayor Corey Woods, and LD9 legislators Lorena Austin and Kiana Sears. He advanced from the July 21, 2026 Democratic primary and faces Democrat Lorena Austin and Republican Bradley Bettencourt for two seats in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Positions
Issue Stances
Water Policy
SupportsSupports stronger groundwater protections, transparency on corporate water use, and investment in water infrastructure and conservation.
"Jacob will push for stronger groundwater protections, transparency around corporate water usage"
Education Funding
SupportsSupports fully funding public schools, raising teacher pay, expanding career and technical education, and limiting public money for vouchers he calls unaccountable.
"He will push to fully fund our public schools, raise teacher pay"
Border Security & Immigration
No official stance on record.
Housing Affordability
SupportsSupports more affordable housing, protections against price-gouging landlords, first-time homebuyer support, and development near transit and jobs.
"Jacob will fight to expand affordable housing options"
Election Integrity
No official stance on record.
Healthcare Access
No official stance on record.
Public Safety & Criminal Justice
No official stance on record.
Energy Policy
No official stance on record.
Economic Development & Jobs
No official stance on record.
Reproductive Rights
No official stance on record.
Transportation & Infrastructure
No official stance on record.
Government Spending & Taxation
SupportsSupports tax relief for working families and a crackdown on predatory fees as part of an affordability agenda.
"He’ll champion tax relief for working families"
Legislature
Legislative Voting Record
No voting record on file.
Voting records are only available for candidates who have held legislative office.
Ballot
Ballot Measure Stances
No ballot measure stances on file yet.
Coverage