Jacob Martinez

Jacob Martinez
Born
Mesa, Arizona, U.S.
EducationArizona State University (BA)
OccupationsCommunity organizer, education activist, small business owner
Years active2010s–present
Known forMarch for Our Lives activism; Mesa Public Schools Governing Board candidate

Jacob Martinez is an American community organizer and education activist from Mesa, Arizona. He became known as a high school organizer for March for Our Lives demonstrations in Arizona and later as a candidate for an at-large seat on the Mesa Public Schools Governing Board in 2022.[1][2][3] Martinez is a member of the U.S. Navy Reserves.[4]

Early life and education

Martinez grew up in Mesa and attended Dobson High School.[1][5]

He appeared in national media as a Dobson student in 2016 during a dispute involving a cancer survivor’s graduation participation.[6][7]

In 2018, he participated in KJZZ’s public affairs program ‘‘The Show’’ to discuss Generation Z political views.[8]

City of Mesa records identify Martinez as founder of American Youth in Politics and First Venture, a member of the Mayor’s Youth Committee, and a District 3 youth appointee to the Human Relations Advisory Board.[9]

A 2021 City of Mesa document lists him as a graduate of Arizona State University with a bachelor's degree in political science.[10]

Gun safety activism and March for Our Lives

Martinez became involved in gun violence prevention efforts following the 2018 Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.[11][12] Cronkite News, the Phoenix New Times, Raw Story, and ABC affilate profiled him as a conservative teen who broke with the Republican Party on gun control and resigned as chair of the Arizona Teenage Republicans in support of new gun regulations.[5][13][14][15]

Arizona PBS interviewed him during the March 14, 2018 national school walkouts, identifying him as a Dobson High School organizer who called for a ban on bump stocks, universal background checks, and increased school counseling resources.[1]

KJZZ also covered his role in organizing the Phoenix March for Our Lives rally.[2]

A Fox News affiliate video quoted Martinez stating that youth activists were “sick and tired of not having our voices heard” and that elected officials would soon answer to them as voters.[16]

Giffords gun reform organization selected him as an inaugural Courage Fellow.[17]

Civic involvement

Tax records list American Youth in Politics as a Mesa-based educational nonprofit associated with Martinez.[18]

He has served on the City of Mesa Parks and Recreation Board. Documents list him as a board member in 2019,[19] during virtual pandemic meetings in 2020,[20] and as a voting member in 2022.[21]

During COVID 19, Martinez criticized President Trumps response to the virus.[22]

He is a Executive Board Member of ASU’s Chicano Latino Law Students Association.[23]

A 2025 CitizenPortal.ai report listed Martinez as vice chair of Mesa’s PABDAC, noting his comments on enrollment declines at Wilson Elementary during boundary-change deliberations.[24]

Mesa City Council

In 2019, he ran for Mesa City Council.[25]

2022 Mesa Public Schools Governing Board campaign

Martinez ran for one of two at-large seats on the governing board of Mesa Public Schools in 2022.[26][3][27][28]

He participated in candidate questionnaires and public forums, including one hosted by ABC15 Arizona, which highlighted his emphasis on student mental health and support for teachers.[3]

The Mesa Special Education Alliance listed him among the official 2022 candidates.[29]

Save Our Schools Arizona’s Vote4PublicEd project listed him in its 2022 voter guide.[30]

The Legislative District 12 Democrats also listed him as a candidate,[31] and Blue Voter Guide documented endorsements for his campaign from the Maricopa County Democratic Party, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, and Save Our Schools Arizona.[32]

Ballotpedia reports that Martinez was not elected.[26]

Views

Martinez has advocated for stricter gun safety measures, including banning bump stocks, universal background checks, and greater funding for school counselors.[1][2] He has highlighted student mental health, hunger, and emotional well-being as essential to academic achievement.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Schools nationwide stage walkouts for March for Our Lives movement". Arizona PBS. March 14, 2018. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Brodie, Mark (March 23, 2018). "Arizona Students Planning Gun Safety Rally". KJZZ. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d "Mesa Public Schools hosts forum for governing board candidates". ABC15 Arizona. October 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  4. ^ "An ASU Law student's mission to make a difference through law, service and community". law.asu.edu. December 10, 2025. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  5. ^ a b "High school gun-control activists plan Phoenix March For Our Lives". Cronkite News. March 23, 2018. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  6. ^ "Teen cancer survivor's wish to walk at graduation denied". KSL. AP. May 28, 2016.
  7. ^ "Teen cancer survivor's wish to walk at graduation denied". The Seattle Times. AP. May 28, 2016.
  8. ^ Gilger, Lauren (March 9, 2018). "What Does Generation Z Think About Major Issues Facing Us Today?". KJZZ.
  9. ^ "Minutes of the Mesa City Council meeting, July 2, 2018" (PDF). City of Mesa. July 2, 2018.
  10. ^ "Minutes of the Mesa City Council meeting, June 17, 2021" (PDF). City of Mesa. June 17, 2021.
  11. ^ Stanwood, Christine (May 25, 2022). "ASU senior, Navy reservist urges leaders to prevent gun violence". ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix (KNXV). Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  12. ^ Phillips, Mark (September 3, 2022). "Maricopa County Attorney's Office making changes to stem gun violence". ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix (KNXV). Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  13. ^ "Arizona Teenage Republicans chair steps down, says Republicans must reform gun laws". 12news.com. March 14, 2018. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  14. ^ Farzan, Antonia Noori (March 15, 2018). "Gun Protest: Why Arizona Teenage Republicans Chairman Quitting His Position". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  15. ^ "Head of Arizona Teen Republicans steps down -- and delivers a scathing message to GOP leaders about gun reform - Raw Story". www.rawstory.com. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  16. ^ "Crowds turning out in Phoenix for March For Our Lives rally". FOX 10 Phoenix via FOX 26. March 24, 2018.
  17. ^ "28 Young Advocates Selected for Giffords Courage Fellowship" (Press release). Giffords. July 2018.
  18. ^ "American Youth in Politics". TaxExemptWorld.
  19. ^ "Parks and Recreation Board Agenda, Jan. 9, 2019" (PDF). City of Mesa. January 9, 2019.
  20. ^ "Parks and Recreation Board Agenda, June 2, 2020" (PDF). City of Mesa. June 2, 2020.
  21. ^ "Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Minutes, May 11, 2022" (PDF). City of Mesa. May 11, 2022.
  22. ^ Merica, Dan (November 2, 2020). "How the politicization of the coronavirus could shape Arizona's most important county | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  23. ^ "Department of Education: Banishing Segregation or Community? – Arizona State Law Journal". Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  24. ^ "Board approves Wilson boundary changes". CitizenPortal.ai. 2025.
  25. ^ Pineda, Paulina. "March For Our Lives teen activist Jacob Martinez plans to run for Mesa City Council". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  26. ^ a b "Jacob Martinez". Ballotpedia.
  27. ^ Writer, Scott Shumaker Tribune Staff (October 9, 2022). "Big ballot to hit Mesa early voters' mailboxes". The Mesa Tribune. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  28. ^ Editor, Mark Moran, Tribune Managing (July 18, 2022). "7 file to run for two Mesa school board seats". East Valley Tribune. Retrieved December 11, 2025. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  29. ^ "2022 Board Candidates". Mesa Special Education Alliance.
  30. ^ "Vote4PublicEd: School Board Candidates". Save Our Schools Arizona.
  31. ^ "Candidates". LD12 Democrats. 2022.
  32. ^ "Mesa ballot guide". Blue Voter Guide. 2022.
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