Javier MartinezServing

Javier Martinez

State HouseDemocrat

NM-HD-11 State House

Mexican-American (son of Mexican immigrants from Ciudad Juarez; grandfather from Valle de Allende, Mexico)·Speaker of NM House of Representatives (2023-present)

Why This Race Matters

As Speaker, Martinez is one of New Mexico's most powerful politicians, steering the legislative agenda on working families and early childhood education. His HJR 1 constitutional amendment unlocked Land Grant Permanent Fund dollars for early childhood programs, approved 70-30% by voters.

Current term ends December 31, 2026. Won 2024 re-election with 74.7% of the vote. Has won HD-11 with 74-100% margins since first elected in 2014. Pledged to fill gaps from federal cuts in 2026 legislative session.

About

Javier Martinez is the 31st Speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives, serving District 11 (Bernalillo County/Albuquerque) since 2015. Born in a barrio of El Paso just feet from the Mexican border, with roots in Ciudad Juarez and his grandfather's hometown of Valle de Allende, Mexico, he moved to Albuquerque as a child and entered school speaking no English, achieving bilingual fluency by fifth grade. The first in his family to attend college, he began organizing in Albuquerque's Barelas, Wells Park, and Sawmill neighborhoods at age 19 before earning both his bachelor's and law degrees from UNM. He then organized communities internationally in Bolivia, Peru, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic.

Family & Heritage

Son of Javier and Ana Martinez, immigrants from Mexico who came to New Mexico seeking better opportunities. Grandfather hailed from Valle de Allende, Mexico, a town of about 2,000 known for its orchards. Born in an El Paso barrio near the Mexican border. First in family to attend college. Has one sibling, Viridiana. Lives in the Los Duranes neighborhood with wife Diana and children Marisela and Camilo.

Political Career

Before Politics

Community organizer in Albuquerque's Barelas, Wells Park, Sawmill, North Valley, South Valley, and International District neighborhoods (began 2000); Public health advocate for University of Michigan; International community organizer in Bolivia, Peru, Guatemala, and Dominican Republic; Policy Director and General Counsel at Partnership for Community Action

Education

B.A. from University of New Mexico (2010); J.D. from UNM School of Law (2010) with honors in International and Comparative Law; Southwest Indian Law Clinic

Key Issues & Priorities

*Working families economic inclusion (expanded NM Working Families Tax Credit to one of most generous in country)
*Child Tax Credit champion
*Early childhood education (HJR 1 constitutional amendment approved 70-30% by voters, allocating Land Grant Permanent Fund for early childhood)
*Free college for NM students
*Housing and infrastructure
*Public safety and behavioral health

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