Jacob Martinez
Jacob Martinez | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mesa, Arizona, U.S. |
| Education | Arizona State University (BA) |
| Occupations | Community organizer, education activist, small business owner |
| Years active | 2010s–present |
| Known for | March 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. Martinez is a member of the U.S. Navy Reserves.
Early life and education
Martinez grew up in Mesa and attended Dobson High School.
He appeared in national media as a Dobson student in 2016 during a dispute involving a cancer survivor's graduation participation.
In 2018, he participated in KJZZ's public affairs program ‘‘The Show’’ to discuss Generation Z political views.
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.
A 2021 City of Mesa document lists him as a graduate of Arizona State University with a bachelor's degree in political science.
Gun safety activism and March for Our Lives
Martinez became involved in gun violence prevention efforts following the 2018 Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. 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.
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.
KJZZ also covered his role in organizing the Phoenix March for Our Lives rally.
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.
Giffords gun reform organization selected him as an inaugural Courage Fellow.
Civic involvement
Tax records list American Youth in Politics as a Mesa-based educational nonprofit associated with Martinez.
He has served on the City of Mesa Parks and Recreation Board. Documents list him as a board member in 2019, during virtual pandemic meetings in 2020, and as a voting member in 2022.
During COVID-19, Martinez criticized President Trumps response to the virus.
He is an Executive Board Member of ASU's Chicano Latino Law Students Association.
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.
Mesa City Council
In 2019, he ran for Mesa City Council.
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.
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.
The Mesa Special Education Alliance listed him among the official 2022 candidates.
Save Our Schools Arizona's Vote4PublicEd project listed him in its 2022 voter guide.
The Legislative District 12 Democrats also listed him as a candidate, 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.
Ballotpedia reports that Martinez was not elected.
Views
Martinez has advocated for stricter gun safety measures, including banning bump stocks, universal background checks, and greater funding for school counselors. He has highlighted student mental health, hunger, and emotional well-being as essential to academic achievement.