Isaiah Martin
Isaiah Martin | |
|---|---|
 Martin in 2024 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 24, 1998 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Houston (BA) |
| TikTok information | |
| Followers | 334 thousand |
| Likes | 11.2 million |
| Page Display Name | isaiahrmartin |
| Page Direct URL | isaiahrmartin |
Updated: June 2, 2025 | |
| [[]] | |
Isaiah Martin is an American political advisor and Democratic candidate in the 2025 United States House of Representatives elections for Texas's 18th congressional district.[1][2]
Early life and education
Martin was born in Houston, Texas, and is from Clear Lake City.[3] He attended the University of Houston, where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science in 2021.[4]
While in college, he founded a student advocacy group called #ForTheStudents, which focused on campus voter access, food insecurity, and sexual assault resources. In 2020, while president of the group,[5] he worked with local officials to convert the University of Houston's football stadium into a polling location.[2][6] This project led to him meeting Representative Sheila Jackson Lee and starting to volunteer with her office.[3]
As a junior at University of Houston, Martin ran for student body president[7] with the #ForTheStudents party, aiming to increase retention and graduation rates, improve support for sexual assault victims, and improve campus safety.[8] #ForTheStudents received temporary campaign sanctions due to violating election rules.[9][10] Martin lost the election.[11]
Political activity and advocacy
After graduating, Martin worked as a senior advisor to Representative Lee,[12][13] serving in both her Washington, D.C., and Houston offices.[2]
In the 2024 election cycle, Martin campaigned in support of Democratic candidates including Janelle Bynum.[2] He also expressed support for Vice President Kamala Harris.[2] He attended Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro's invitation-only "Democracy Summer Camp" for digital content creators[14], as well as the Dream for America reception during the DNC,[15] and spoke at the Center for New Liberalism’s 2024 New Liberal Action Summit.[16][17][18]
Martin uses TikTok to discuss political topics and reach younger audiences.[2]
2023 campaigns
In January 2023, Martin ran for Houston City Council, advocating flood mitigation, housing affordability, increasing funding for Houston's crime lab, and growing a local land trust.[3] He chose to stop his campaign before the election,[19] saying that he wanted to "help other candidates get elected this cycle."[20]
Martin launched a campaign for the House of Representatives in Texas's 18th Congressional district in September 2023,[21] anticipating that Jackson Lee would retire to run for mayor of Houston. He said he was inspired to run by crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Texas's 2021 winter freeze power crisis.[22] He raised over $316,000 in campaign funds in the first three weeks of his campaign, which local commentator Charles Kuffner called "a very strong start".[23]
Martin supported the John Lewis Voting Rights Act,[22] noting that a proposed Texas state law would have banned campus voting such as the stadium polling station he had helped organize as a student.[20] He also supported reproductive rights,[22] increasing cash bond, and continuing the US's alliance with Israel,[24] co-signing a letter to President Biden with two other Democratic House candidates supporting his "unwavering commitment to defending our ally Israel".[25] He supported a "public option" for health insurance, provoking criticism from Democrats who favor Medicare For All.[26] After the campaign launched and after commentators criticized Martin's comparative silence on climate change in contrast with his position on the Middle East, Martin's campaign deleted the portion of its website covering his policy positions.[21]
Jackson Lee lost the mayoral election. In December 2023, when Jackson Lee filed to seek re-election, Martin withdrew and endorsed Jackson Lee.[27][28][29] At the end of his campaign, according to FEC filings, Martin's campaign had more than $260,000 in cash on hand.[29] Martin's campaign retained $174,000 in cash available for his next campaign for the seat.[30]
2025 campaign
Martin announced a new campaign for the Congressional seat in March 2025,[30] running in a special election following the deaths of Jackson Lee in July 2024 and her successor, Representative Sylvester Turner, in early 2025.[31] He seeks to oppose Donald Trump's policies,[32] such as cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security,[33] and DOGE's cuts to the federal workforce,[34] and participated in the April "Hands Off" protests against Trump and Elon Musk.[35] Martin opposes Democratic leadership's March 2025 approval of the Republicans' proposed federal budget, and says that vote sealed his decision to run for Congress.[34][2] He proposes supporting small businesses with a $25,000 “side hustle fund”[36] and passing The Dignity Act to address immigration and the border.[2]
Martin raised about $185,000 in his first day of fundraising.[34] As of early April, a poll found that 79% of local residents didn't know enough about Martin to have an opinion of him as a candidate for the seat.[37]
Governor Greg Abbott scheduled the special election for November 4, 2025,[38] drawing criticism from Democrats for leaving the district without Congressional representation for several months.[39] Martin called Abbott a "wuss".[40]
Lawsuit over 2023 campaign
In March 2025, Grassroots Analytics filed a lawsuit against Martin's 2023 congressional campaign, alleging that two invoices, totaling approximately $225,000 for donor data services, remained unpaid and claiming that funds were used for other expenses after the campaign ended.[41][42] The campaign responded alleging that Grassroots Analytics failed to meet its contractual obligations, and that the vendor had begun working for one of Martin's opponents in the race without notifying Martin,[43] and said it had made multiple attempts to resolve the issue amicably before the lawsuit was filed.[41] As of June 2025, the lawsuit is still ongoing.[42]
Personal life
Martin works as an aerospace consultant.[44] Martin is Catholic and was formerly a Junior Knight of Peter Claver.[31]
References
- ↑ "Isaiah Martin, former Senior Advisor to Sheila Jackson Lee, launches congressional run for 18th district". KPRC. March 18, 2025. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 "Isaiah Martin Roasts MAGA Creators on TikTok. Now He's Running for Congress". The Barbed Wire. March 17, 2025. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Sessions, Kennedy (Feb 15, 2023). "Meet the Gen-Z organizer looking to change the face of Houston City Council". Chron. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
- ↑ "2 candidates announce they're running for District 18 Congressional seat to replace the late Sylvester Turner". KHOU. May 8, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
- ↑ Janfaza, Rachel (2020-10-24). "2020 may see a surge in young voters". CNN. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ "Meet Isaiah Martin". Isaiah Martin for Congress. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
- ↑ Durrette, Cristobella (2020-02-19). "#ForTheStudents presidential candidate talks campus sexual assault reform". The Cougar. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ Rendall, Autumn (2020-02-19). "Campus safety, mentorship programs big topics of 2020 SGA presidential debate". The Cougar. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ Keeya, Donna (2020-02-26). "SGA Supreme Court issues campaign sanctions against #ForTheStudents". The Cougar. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ Rendall, Autumn; Keeya, Donna (2020-02-07). "SGA party #ForTheStudents receives temporary campaign suspension". The Cougar. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ Slaten, Michael (2020-02-27). "Jasmine Khademakbari wins SGA presidency in election sweep". The Cougar. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ Oprysko, Caitlin; Lippman, Daniel (2025-03-21). "Energy lobbyist eyes run for Turner's seat". POLITICO. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ ""We Are In A Fight Of A Lifetime": Houston Native And Former City Council Member Runs To Represent Historic Texas District In Congress". Essence. 2025-04-24. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ Murphy, Jan (2024-07-26). "Gov. Shapiro's Democracy Summer Camp raises questions for GOP lawmaker". Penn Live Patriot-News. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
The low-profile, invitation-only camp designed for digital content creators and held at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, is drawing fire from a Republican critic who questions the Democratic administration’s use of taxpayer dollars for an event to promote the election process in these hyper-partisan times.
- ↑ Daniels, Eugene; Bade, Rachael; Lizza, Ryan (2024-08-26). "Playbook: Scoop: The secret debate about the Trump-Harris debate". POLITICO. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
- ↑ Lizza, Ryan; Bade, Rachael; Daniels, Eugene (2024-06-18). "Playbook: Trump the team player". POLITICO. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
- ↑ "NLAS 2024 Agenda". Center for New Liberalism. Archived from the original on 2025-06-02. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
NextGen Democrats: A Case for New Liberalism....Isaiah Martin, Former Candidate.
Unknown parameter|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Center for New Liberalism Celebrates Successful New Liberal Action Summit". Center for New Liberalism. June 18, 2024. Archived from the original on 2025-06-02. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
The first panel of the day featured Sarah Elfreth, Democratic Nominee for MD-03, Isaiah Martin, a former Congressional Candidate from Houston (TX-18), and LaJoy Johnson-Law, a candidate for the DC School board. The discussion, which was moderated by Colin Mortimer, focused on what the next generation of center-left Democrats looks like.
Unknown parameter|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Janfaza, Rachel (2023-10-24). "Meet the Gen Z Candidates Running for Congress in 2024". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 McGuinness, Dylan. "Jackson Lee intern launches bid for her congressional seat, trying to become 'next Gen-Z' congressman". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2024-09-25. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Marans, Daniel (2023-09-19). "Why Democratic Candidates Care So Much About Israel Policy". HuffPost. Archived from the original on May 31, 2025. Retrieved 2025-05-31. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Stapleton, Jordyn (2023-12-05). "Meet Isaiah Martin, The Texas Gen Zer Running For Congress In 2024". Her Campus. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ Kuffner, Charles (February 11, 2024). "January 2024 campaign finance reports – Congress". Off the Kuff. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ Thakker, Prem (2023-09-07). "Gen Z Candidate Launches Campaign That Ignores His Generation's Priorities". The Intercept. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ Kassel, Matthew (2023-11-02). "Youngest House Democratic recruits speak out for Israel". Jewish Insider. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
In a joint letter to Biden circulated on Tuesday, the three House candidates thanked the president for his leadership amid the ongoing conflict, endorsing his efforts to secure additional security funding for Israel, push for humanitarian aid to Gaza and promote a two-state solution, among other things.
- ↑ Hoxha, Spiro (2023-11-29). "Op-Ed: SGA, political science programs encourage ambition over leadership". The Cougar. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ "Isaiah Martin". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
- ↑ Mueller, Julia (2024-03-06). "Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee fends off primary challenge in Texas after mayoral loss". The Hill. Archived from the original on 2024-09-10. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 Cobler, Paul (2023-12-11). "Jackson Lee files for reelection to Congress after losing Houston mayoral race". Houston Landing. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 Cobler, Paul (2025-03-24). "Race for Congressional District 18 seat starts fast, but Election Day likely months away". Houston Landing. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 "Two Black Catholics running to fill Texas' vacant US House seat". National Catholic Reporter. March 25, 2025. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
- ↑ Tinner-Williams, Nate (2025-04-14). "Texas governor calls special election for vacant U.S. House seat sought by Black Catholics". Black Catholic Messenger. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ Miles, Jason (2025-03-18). "2 candidates announce they're running for District 18 Congressional seat to replace the late Sylvester Turner". khou.com. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 Towery, April. "Hopefuls With Ties to Sheila Jackson Lee Join Race for Vacant District 18 Congressional Seat". Houston Press. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ Cancelarich, James (April 8, 2025). "Protesters descend on City Hall in opposition to Trump and Musk". The Rice Thresher. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ Sinha, Tannistha (2025-05-20). "Race for 18th Congressional District heats up, candidates vie to define a post-Jackson Lee, Turner era". Defender. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ "City of Houston 2025: Congressional District 18". University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs. April 2025. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ "Who's running to replace Sylvester Turner? New Hobby survey shows most don't know". Houston Chronicle. April 8, 2025. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
- ↑ Menezes, Andrew (2025-04-08). "Special election for Turner seat set for November, drawing Democratic outrage". Roll Call. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ Towery, April. "Abbott Takes Another Swing at Harris County Elections, Sets Congressional District 18 Race for November 4". Houston Press. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ 41.0 41.1 Balogun, Rilwan (2025-03-20). "Congressional candidate Isaiah Martin sued for breach of contract". KPRC. Retrieved 2025-05-02.
- ↑ 42.0 42.1 "GRASSROOTS ANALYTICS, INC. v. ISAIAH MARTIN FOR CONGRESS, 1:25-cv-00822 - CourtListener.com". CourtListener. Retrieved 2025-05-02.
- ↑ Cobler, Paul (2025-03-28). "State of H-Town: Menefee aims to clear field early, but it could be long year for CD-18". Houston Landing. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
- ↑ Mutnick, Ally (2025-03-17). "Senate Dems' shutdown politics". POLITICO. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
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