Background
Martin, John Lewis was born on June 5, 1941 in Eagle Lake, Maine, United States. Son of Frank and Edwidge Martin.
politician Member of the Maine State Senate
Martin, John Lewis was born on June 5, 1941 in Eagle Lake, Maine, United States. Son of Frank and Edwidge Martin.
Bachelor in History and Government, University Maine, 1963. Postgraduate, University Maine, 1964.
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. With his election in 2014, he is the longest serving legislator in Maine history. Following that he was elected Speaker of the House from 1975 through 1994.
In 1992, one of his aides was convicted in a ballot tampering scandal involving two close House races.
lieutenant is believed that, combined with his length of service, contributed to Maine voters approving legislative term limits in 1993. 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".
From 1998 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.
He was defeated for re-election in 2012 by Republican Michael Nadeau. 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." 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.
Martin filed to enter the 2014 race for his old seat, which was re-numbered District 151.
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.
Martin defeated Nadeau in the November 4, 2014 election. Martin is single. From 1964-1994, 2008-2012, and again from 2014-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 2000-2008 was a Senator for Maine State Senate From 1975-1994 was a Speaker of the House for the Maine State House From 1971-1974 was a House Minority Floor Leader for the Maine State House 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.
Trustee Eagle Lake Water and Sewer District, since 1966, Northern Maine General Hospital, Eagle Lake, Eastern Maine Health Care, 1991-1992, Northern Maine Medical Center, since 1966. Member rural health steering committee National Academy for State Health Policy. Advisor White House Task Force on Health Care Reform.
Director intergovernmental affairs National Health Care Campaign, 1994. Trustee Maine Medical Center, Fort Kent. Member New England Political Science Association.