Jacob Martinez has spent much of his young life trying to make a career in politics. But as he campaigns for the Arizona House in Legislative District 9, the dramatic swings he’s taken to advance his political career are attracting attention.
After years as a conservative Republican, Martinez is now running as a Democrat alongside incumbent Lorena Austin, with Republican Bradley Bettencourt as the lone Republican candidate for the two available House seats. The three candidates are set to face voters in November.
Martinez was very public with his conservative beliefs and values. He served as the Arizona/New Mexico state director for Teens for Ted, supporting Ted Cruz’s presidential campaign. He even volunteered for Kelli Ward’s U.S. Senate campaign. Ward was best known as a part-time chemtrail and full-time election conspiracist who fiercely defended Donald Trump – and Martinez defended Ward.
Today, Martinez has done a complete flip – fully embracing the socialism that has become popular in today’s hard-left Democratic Party. Martinez zealously advocates for the most restrictive gun control policies and is the only Arizona candidate for State Legislature endorsed by Gabby Giffords’ Gun Control PAC. Martinez’ embrace of socialism has also earned him the endorsement of US Senator Bernie Sanders.
This radical evolution has become an unavoidable part of the conversation surrounding Martinez’s candidacy, with one concerned and distrusting voter asking the question, “Jacob Martinez was a hard right conservative who campaigned for Ted Cruz and Kelli Ward, but now that he is running in a Democratic district, he has embraced Bernie Sanders. I mean, how can you trust anything he says?”
Another political observer questioned whether Martinez’s ever-changing political identities represent a legitimate evolution in his beliefs or something far more calculated.
“Martinez has already run for office a couple of times and been roundly rejected by voters each time. Now he’s cynically reinventing himself again in hopes he can finally convince voters to support him.”
His Democratic running mate, Austin, is a Latinx activist who first gained notoriety for hosting a Drag Queen event at the State Capitol and getting in trouble for misleading state leaders about her real plans.
Running on the GOP side is Bettencourt, whose campaign seems focused on issues related to the economy, prices, and local schools, as opposed to the more ideologically radical issues his opponents are proudly supporting.
Ultimately, the race may come down to whether or not voters trust this latest version of Jacob Martinez or reject the 2026 makeover like they have in prior elections.
Be the first to comment