John L. Martin

{{short description|American politician (born 1941)}} {{for|the general|John L. Martin Jr.}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = John L. Martin | image = | office = 91st Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives | term_start = 1975 | term_end = 1994 | predecessor = Richard Hewes | successor = Dan Gwadosky | office1 = Member of the Maine House of Representatives | term_start1 = December 2, 2014 | term_end1 = December 7, 2022 | predecessor1 = Michael Nadeau | successor1 = Kristi Mathieson | constituency1 = 151st district | term_start2 = December 2, 2008 | term_end2 = December 4, 2012 | predecessor2 = Troy Jackson | successor2 = Michael Nadeau | constituency2 = 1st district | term_start3 = December 1, 1964 | term_end3 = December 5, 2000 | predecessor3 = | successor3 = Troy Jackson | constituency3 = Aroostook County (1964–1974) 14th district (1974–1984) 151st district (1984–2000) | office4 = Member of the Maine Senate | constituency4 = 1st district (2000–2004) 35th district (2004–2008) | term_start4 = December 5, 2000 | term_end4 = December 2, 2008 | predecessor4 = Judy Paradis | successor4 = Troy Jackson | office6 = President of the National Conference of State Legislatures | term_start6 = 1990 | term_end6 = 1991 | predecessor6 = Lee A. Daniels | successor6 = Bud Burke | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1941|6|5}} | birth_place = Eagle Lake, Maine, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = Democratic | alma_mater = University of Maine | profession = educator, University of Maine | spouse = }}

'''John L. Martin''' (born June 5, 1941, in Eagle Lake, Maine) is an American politician of the Democratic Party. Martin has been in Maine politics since his first election to the Maine House of Representatives in 1964, and is sometimes called "The Earl of Eagle Lake" as a result.<ref name=defeat /> With his election in 2014, he is the longest serving legislator in Maine history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.centralmaine.com/2014/11/29/longest-serving-maine-lawmaker-back-for-24th-term/|title=Longest-serving Maine lawmaker back for 24th term|publisher=Kennebec Journal|date=30 November 2014|access-date=30 November 2014}}</ref>

==Political career== Martin was a member of the Maine House of Representatives from 1964 through 1996, serving as Minority Floor Leader from 1971 through 1974.<ref>{{cite web | title=Inmagic® Presto - Search Results | url=https://history.mainelegislature.org/Presto/search/SearchResults.aspx?q=KFNlc3Npb25zLntGaXJzdF9OYW1lfExhc3RfTmFtZXxOaWNrbmFtZXxNaWRkbGVfTmFtZXxOb3Rlc306KEpvaG4gTWFydGluKSkgQU5EIChTZXNzaW9ucy5Qb3NpdGlvbl9zZWFyY2g9KCJIb3VzZSBNaW5vcml0eSBMZWFkZXIiKSk=&qcf=NjJkY2RjYTMtM2Q5Zi00NmUyLWJjOTctMDA0NWVkZWNmNTRk }}</ref> Following that he was elected Speaker of the House from 1975 through 1994.<ref>{{Cite web| title=Maine state legislature | url=https://lldc.mainelegislature.org/Open/LegRec/107/House/LegRec_1975-01-01_HP_pA0001-0010.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709013214/http://lldc.mainelegislature.org/Open/LegRec/107/House/LegRec_1975-01-01_HP_pA0001-0010.pdf | archive-date=2022-07-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| title=Maine state legislature | url=https://lldc.mainelegislature.org/Open/LegRec/116/House/LegRec_1994-01-25_HP_pH1501-1510.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513010850/https://lldc.mainelegislature.org/Open/LegRec/116/House/LegRec_1994-01-25_HP_pH1501-1510.pdf | archive-date=2024-05-13}}</ref> In 1992, one of his aides was convicted in a ballot tampering scandal involving two close House races. It is believed that, combined with his length of service, contributed to Maine voters approving legislative term limits in 1993.<ref name=defeat>{{cite web|url=http://bangordailynews.com/2012/11/07/politics/elections/john-martin-among-nations-longest-serving-state-legislators-defeated-in-county/|title=John Martin, among nation's longest-serving state legislators, defeated in County|publisher=Bangor Daily News|date=7 November 2012|access-date=7 December 2012}}</ref><ref name=future>{{cite web|url=http://bangordailynews.com/2012/11/20/news/aroostook/rep-martin-had-problems-paying-off-taxes-and-loans-from-two-government-agencies/|title=Rep. Martin had problems paying off taxes and loans from two government agencies|publisher=Bangor Daily News|date=20 November 2012|access-date=7 December 2012}}</ref> In criticizing term limits in 2014, Governor Paul LePage cited Martin as an example of how experienced legislators would benefit the State as opposed to inexperienced legislators with "firm agendas".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bangordailynews.com/2014/03/20/politics/lepage-says-legislative-term-limits-should-be-thrown-out-the-window/?ref=regionaugusta|title=LePage says legislative term limits should be 'thrown out the window'|publisher=Bangor Daily News|date=2014-03-20|access-date=2014-03-21}}</ref>

From 2000 through 2008, Martin represented the 35th district in the Maine Senate. During that time he also served as Assistant Majority Leader.

In 2008, Martin was again elected to the House.<ref>{{Cite web | title=OurCampaigns | url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=427959 | access-date=2025-10-08 | website=www.ourcampaigns.com}}</ref> He was defeated for re-election in 2012 by Republican Michael Nadeau.<ref>{{Cite web | title=OurCampaigns | url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=760791 | access-date=2025-10-08 | website=www.ourcampaigns.com}}</ref> Martin stated it was due to money and negative campaigning, stating that "If you throw enough mud around, some of it’s going to stick."<ref name=defeat /> Financial problems, including failing to pay back loans from two government agencies for his Tamarack Inn, as well as a bankruptcy, may also have played a role in his defeat. He did not rule out running in the future, and said he would remain involved in politics.<ref name=future />

Martin filed to enter the 2014 race for his old seat, which was re-numbered District 151.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bangordailynews.com/2014/03/08/politics/elections/democrat-john-martin-launches-bid-to-return-to-maine-legislature/|title=John Martin launches bid to return to Maine Legislature|publisher=Bangor Daily News|date=8 March 2014|access-date=8 March 2014}}</ref> State records erroneously listed him as a Republican despite his still being a Democrat. Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap stated the error would be corrected.<ref name=error>{{cite web|url=http://agreetodisagree.bangordailynews.com/2014/03/08/maine-politics/former-democratic-speaker-john-martin-turns-republican/|title=Former Democratic Speaker John Martin turns Republican?!|publisher=Bangor Daily News|date=8 March 2014|access-date=8 March 2014}}</ref> Martin defeated Nadeau in the November 4, 2014 election,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bangordailynews.com/2014/11/04/the-point/the-bdns-election-night-live-blog/?ref=search|title=Republicans lead in Maine Senate seats, Democrats may lose seats in the House|publisher=Bangor Daily News|date=5 November 2014|access-date=5 November 2014}}</ref> and would serve until term-limited in 2022.

In 2024, at the age of 82, Martin declared a run for his old house seat.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bangordailynews.com/2024/02/09/politics/state-politics/john-martin-maine-legislature-age-82/ | title=The legendary John Martin seeks return to Maine Legislature at age 82 | date=9 February 2024 }}</ref> He would be defeated in a landslide by Republican Lucien Daigle, as the rural, border areas of Aroostook County that were once heavily Democratic have swung to the Republican Party.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-06 |title=2024 ME General Election Results - State House District 1 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/elections/results/2024-11-05/race/20682/maine |access-date=2024-12-10 |website=USA TODAY |language=en}}</ref>

==Family== Martin is single.<ref name=John>{{cite web|title=Representative John Martin Biography|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/6674/john-martin#.UI1-97R9nww|publisher=Project Vote Smart|access-date=28 October 2012}}</ref>

==Education== In 1963, Martin received his BA in History/Government from the University of Maine Orono.<ref name=John />

==Political experience== *From 1964 to 1996, 1998–2000, 2008–2012, and again from 2014 to present, Martin has been a representative for the Maine State House of Representatives *In 2008 was an assistant majority leader for the Maine State Senate *From 2000 to 2008 was a senator for Maine State Senate *From 1975 to 1994 was a Speaker of the House for the Maine State House *From 1971 to 1974 was a House minority floor leader for the Maine State House *Member of the Democratic National Committee<ref name=John />

==Professional experience== *Is an assistant professor in political science and government at the University of Maine Fort Kent. *Takes part in graduate work in political science at the University of Maine Orono.<ref name=John />

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20080803072016/http://www.mainesenate.org/martin/index.htm Maine Senate Democrats - Senator John L. Martin] ''official government website'' *[https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/6674/john-martin Project Vote Smart - Representative-elect John L. Martin (ME)] profile *''Follow the Money'' – John L. Martin **[http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=85899 2006] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=64535 2004] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=61101 2002] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=1194 2000] State Senate campaign contributions **[http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=99092 2008] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=34653 1998] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=34245 1996] State House campaign contributions

{{Navboxes |title=Offices and distinctions |list1= {{s-start}} {{s-par|us-me-hs}} {{s-bef|before=Multi-member district}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the Maine House of Representatives from the Aroostook County district|years=1964–1974}} {{s-non|reason=Constituency abolished}}

{{s-new|constituency}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the Maine House of Representatives from the 14th district|years=1974–1984}} {{s-aft|after=Norman O. Racine}}

{{s-new|constituency}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the Maine House of Representatives from the 151st district|years=1984–1996}} {{s-aft|after=Duane J. Belanger}}

{{s-bef|before=Duane J. Belanger}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the Maine House of Representatives from the 151st district|years=1998–2000}} {{s-aft|after=Marc E. Michaud}}

{{s-bef|before=Troy Jackson}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the Maine House of Representatives from the 1st district|years=2008–2012}} {{s-aft|after=Allen Michael Nadeau}}

{{s-bef|before=Deane Rykerson}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the Maine House of Representatives from the 151st district|years=2014–2022}} {{s-aft|after=Kristi Mathieson}}

{{s-bef|before=Emilien Levesque}} {{s-ttl|title=Minority Leader of the Maine House of Representatives|years=1971–1975}} {{s-aft|after=Linwood E. Palmer Jr.}}

{{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=Richard Hewes}} {{s-ttl|title=Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives|years=1975–1994}} {{s-aft|after=Dan Gwadosky}}

{{s-par|us-me-sen}} {{s-bef|before=Judy Paradis}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the Maine Senate from the 1st district|years=2000–2004}} {{s-aft|after=Mary Andrews}}

{{s-bef|before=Kenneth F. Lemont}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the Maine Senate from the 35th district|years=2004–2008}} {{s-aft|after=Troy Jackson}}

{{s-bef|before=Kenneth Gagnon}} {{s-ttl|title=Assistant Majority Leader of the Maine Senate|years=2006–2008}} {{s-aft|after=Lisa Marrache}} {{s-end}} }}

{{National Conference of State Legislatures presidents|state=collapsed}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Martin, John L.}} Category:1941 births Category:Living people Category:People from Aroostook County, Maine Category:Democratic Party Maine state senators Category:Speakers of the Maine House of Representatives Category:Democratic Party members of the Maine House of Representatives Category:Minority leaders of the Maine House of Representatives Category:University of Maine alumni Category:21st-century members of the Maine Legislature Category:Presidents of the National Conference of State Legislatures