W. Ken Martinez

W. Ken Martinez
Member of the New Mexico House of Representatives
from the 69th district
Assumed office
1998
22nd Speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives
In office
2012–2015
Preceded by Ben Luján
Succeeded by Don Tripp
Personal details
Born Walter Kenneth Martinez, Jr.
(1959-02-12) February 12, 1959
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Political party Democratic
Residence Grants, New Mexico
Occupation attorney

W. Ken Martinez (born February 12, 1959) is a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives, representing the 69th District since 1998.

Early years

Walter Kenneth Martinez, Jr. was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on February 12, 1959. His parents were Walter Martinez, Sr. 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's who controlled the New Mexico House in the early 1970s, and was House speaker from 1971–78.[3] W. Ken Martinez earned a bachelor's degree from the University of New Mexico in 1981, and a law degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1984.[3] His older sister Camille Olguin became a state district judge, and his younger brother Kevin Martinez became a lawyer.[3] Ken and Kevin Martinez share a law practice in Albuquerque.[4]

Legislator

Martinez was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives in 1998, taking office in 1999, and as of 2014 had held office continuously since then.[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.[5] He was House majority leader for eight years up to 2013.[4] Martinez was sworn in as speaker of the house by governor Susana Martínez on 15 January 2013.[6] In 2014 he was still speaker of the house.[7] 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]

As of 2014 Martinez was married and resident in Grants, New Mexico.[2]

References

    Sources

    External links

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