Jacob Martinez

On the Issues

Affordability
Every family in LD-9 deserves to build a life without being crushed by rising costs. Jacob will work to lower everyday expenses, including groceries, utilities, childcare, and transportation. He’ll champion tax relief for working families, work to crack down on predatory fees, and fight for policies that keep Arizona livable for those who call it home.

Strong Public Schools
As a graduate of Mesa Public Schools and a longtime advocate for students, Jacob believes every child deserves a world-class education. He will push to fully fund our public schools, raise teacher pay, and ensure classrooms have the resources they need. Jacob will also work to expand career and technical education so students can graduate with real-world skills, and to protect public dollars from being siphoned into unaccountable voucher schemes.

Affordable Housing
Families across LD-9 are being priced out of their own neighborhoods. Jacob will fight to expand affordable housing options, strengthen protections against pricegouging, predatory landlords, and support first-time homebuyers. He will work to increase housing supply responsibly, encouraging smart development near transit, jobs, and schools so everyone can find a home they can afford.

Protecting Arizona’s Water Future
Water is Arizona’s most precious resource, and our state must treat it as precious. Jacob will push for stronger groundwater protections, transparency around corporate water use, and long-term planning that prioritizes Arizona families over out-of-state water speculators. He supports investment in modern water infrastructure, conservation efforts, and policies that ensure clean, reliable water for generations to come.

Why This Race Is Important

LD-9 is a critical race that could easily be overlooked as Republicans implement a “single-shot” strategy designed to maximize their gains in multimember legislative districts. By concentrating support behind a single Republican candidate, the GOP hopes to flip a seat that otherwise would likely remain in Democratic hands. With an open seat on the ballot, electing Jacob Martinez is essential to countering this strategy and ensuring a Democratic majority in the Arizona House. Jacob’s deep roots in the district, commitment to public service, and focus on affordability, public education, housing, and water security make him a strong candidate to mobilize voters and ensure Democrats remain competitive in a district that will be key to the balance of power in the legislature.

Election Timeline

Last day to register for primary: July 6, 2026

Deadline to request absentee ballot (primary) July 24, 2026

Date of primary: August 4, 2026

Last day to register for general: October 5, 2026

Deadline to request absentee ballot (general) October 23, 2026

Date of general: November 3, 2026

Why Arizona is important

In the 2024 Arizona state legislative elections, Democrats faced significant head winds and lost three seats while picking up one. Despite those challenges, Democrats have flipped key statewide offices and won the presidential vote in recent years. All 90 legislative seats and the governorship are up for grabs in 2026, giving Democrats a chance to shift the balance of power. Democratic victories in Arizona would help safeguard reproductive freedom, climate action, and voting rights while maintaining national momentum for the party.

About the District

Legislative District 9 is located in the East Valley of Maricopa County, encompassing the eastern section of Mesa, Arizona. Originally established as a farming community in the early 1900s, the City of Mesa experienced rapid growth post–World War II, with its largest employers today being Mesa Public Schools, Banner Health, the City of Mesa, The Boeing Company, and Dexcom.

The district is experiencing demographic shifts; with a growing minority population, it is projected to become a minority-majority district in the future. Furthermore, the district faces socioeconomic challenges, with child poverty levels at 5.6%, which is higher than the state average.

Mesa Community College and the East Valley Institute of Technology are located within LD-9.

Nested Congressional Districts:
AZ-04: D+4

Past Results in District

2024 State House District (two seats):
Democrat 1: 26.5%
Democrat 2: 25%
Republican: 24.4%

2024 U.S. Senate:
Democrat: 56.01%
Republican: 43.99%

2024 U.S. House:
Democrat: 51.8%
Republican: 48.2%

2022 State House District (two seats):
Democrat 1: 26.5%
Democrat 2: 25.2%
Republican: 24.5%

2024 Presidential Election:
Harris: 50.65%
Trump: 47.63%

Demographics

Population: 237,829
Households: 90,833
Over 65: 13%
Ages 18–64: 63%
Median Age: 33
White: 49%
Black: 4%
Latino/a: 37%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 2%
Indigenous: 2%
Other/Two+: 6%
Per Capita Income: $35,162
Poverty: 14.2%
College/Postgrad: 27%
Some College: 35%
HS Grad: 25%
Not HS Grad: 12%

About the Opponent

Brad Bettencourt is a Republican businessman and real estate investor running for Arizona House in Legislative District 9. His campaign aligns closely with the Arizona Republican agenda, including expanding private school voucher programs, cutting regulations, and advancing conservative policies on immigration and gun rights. While Brad has built his career in banking, finance, and real estate, Arizona families continue to grapple with rising housing costs, underfunded public schools, and growing concerns about the state’s long-term water supply. In a closely divided legislature, Brad’s election would help Republicans advance an agenda that prioritizes private interests and partisan priorities over investments in public education, affordability, and the resources working families need to succeed.