Jim Martin believes that Georgia’s and America’s future depends on all of us. He believes that by working together as neighbors and friends in cities and towns throughout the country, we can make this a better world for future generations. As lieutenant governor, Jim pledges to work to create a Georgia with more opportunity for all citizens.

“Jim Martin is a decent man and commands the respect of both Democrats and Republicans.” – The Atlanta Journal Constitution

What Makes Jim an Extraordinary, Visionary Leader?

Jim Martin is a Georgia Progressive who is focused on bringing his state and country to twenty-first century standards. Martin, a veteran lawmaker in the Georgia House of Representatives, wants to make government more admired than feared. For Jim, this means fitting government to its appropriate role in American governance: protecting from threats, helping with problems, and preserving individual freedoms. Consequently, Martin favors a sustainability analysis for “all decisions concerning economic and industrial development” in Georgia, and a punishment for unsustainable development that damages the environment.

Martin also seeks to reverse the recent re-segregation of Georgia public schools to enable every Georgian to fulfill America’s promise of opportunity. He makes his support for universal education clear with his statement on his number one priority for Georgia’s schools: “Support our teachers.” As Lieutenant Governor, Martin wants to ensure access to Georgia’s Pre-Kindergarten Program for all eligible 4-year-olds; raise target achievement levels among all children in Georgia; increase access to higher education; expand healthcare coverage; and protect patient rights, of which Martin is an author of several bills in the Legislature.

And because Martin believes deeply in the power of true democracy, he explicitly advocates the United States’ support for democratic governance around the world, through multilateral actions with our allies when possible.

Background

Interrupted only by two years of service in the Army, including a tour of duty in Vietnam, Jim has spent his entire life in Georgia.

Jim started his professional career drafting legislation for the state legislature and advocating for working people and children. In 1983 he was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives. During 18 years of service in the House, Jim authored and passed more than 60 major pieces of reform legislation in the areas of healthcare, family law, civil and criminal justice, education, probate, business law, environmental law, labor law and tax policy.

A lawyer in private practice for over 20 years, Jim has dedicated his career to ensuring that all Georgians have access to high-quality legal services. In his early career, he served as a staff attorney and legislative advocate for the Legal Aid Society and the Legal Services Program. Most recently, Jim served as the chief legal officer for the Georgia Indigent Defense Standards Council. His work with the Council was instrumental in the creation of this new state agency – Georgia now has a nationally recognized public defender system that ensures effective and cost-efficient representation of indigent defendants.

Jim and his wife Joan have been married for 35 years. They have four children, Morgan, Becky, Jay and Frank and two grandsons, Quinn and Grant. Jim is also an Elder in the Presbyterian Church.

Race Facts

Race Type: Open Seat
Primary Opponent: Greg Hecht
Primary Date: August 8, 2006
Primary Election Results: Won Primary
General Opponent: Casey Cagle
General Election Date: November 7, 2006
General Election Results: Loss, 44 – 52 percent