April 17, 2002
Chris Martinez has announced his candidacy for county commissioner in District 3 in the Democratic primary.
He is a lifelong resident of Valencia County and “has openly expressed his commitment to his family, friends and neighbors to voice his opinions and listen to his constituents to improve the quality of life in Valencia County,” he said in a press release.
Martinez has been elected to positions such as precinct chairman, and ward chairman. He is a member of the New Mexico State Executive Committee for the Democratic Party, representing Valencia County.
He was elected vice president of local 2415 and was the New Mexico state legislative director for the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees (BMWE).
He has gone to Santa Fe and Washington, D.C., to lobby for union issues and has seen how governments secure funds and grants. He also has served as a member of the Joint Protective Board for the BMWE and was appointed vice president of the executive board of the AFL-CIO.
He received the Campaign Service Award from the New Mexico Federation of Labor AFL-CIO for the Labor 2000 Campaign.
He is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Martinez has been a volunteer coach for the Young American Football League (YAFL) and was appointed commissioner to the YAFL. He has volunteered for the Senior Citizens Christmas Activities.
He graduated from Belen High School, Albuquerque Bartenders Institute and the Rocky Mountain Labor School, and he attended classes at the University of New Mexico and Albuquerque Business School.
He is married to Belinda, who is the daughter of the late Eugenio “Shorty” and Jenny Marquez of Los Trujillos. She is a teacher at Belen Middle School and a coach for the Belen Middle School Drill Team. Chris is the son of Sal Martinez and the late Tillie Cordero Martinez.
The Martinezes have five children: Rudy Armijo and his wife Alicia (Franco), John and Richard Armijo, Ann Renee Saavedra and her husband, Gabriel, and Kristy Martinez. They have three grandchildren: Colleen Armijo, Derek and Nathan Saavedra and “Baby” Armijo who is due in June. Chris worked for the AT&SF Railroad as a foreman for 10 years and is currently employed by Curbside Towing.
“Valencia County is a beautiful valley, where so many people have grown up or move here to enjoy,” Martinez said in the release. “We have many crucial issues arising in which we have to have an active involvement in how we want our county to grow and prosper. The role of county commissioner is to represent and have the responsibility to work together with the other commissioners, as well as the area municipalities, in a give-and-take commitment to ensure the progress and growth in a manner most benefiting the county and its residents.”
The Valencia County News-Bulletin is a locally owned and operated community newspaper, dedicated to serving Valencia County since 1910 through the highest journalistic and professional business standards. The VCNB is published weekly on Thursdays, including holidays both in print and online.
683
April 19, 2024
