About Steve Martinez

Hello! I’m Steve Martinez.

My wife and I moved here almost 20 years ago to raise our children in beautiful Mills River. Through my work as a medical consultant, I have travelled and lived in many different places, but as soon as I saw the rolling hills, pastures and towns of Henderson County, I knew we’d found home. I love our mountains and can’t imagine living anywhere else.

We love the friendly people, the culture, and the many outdoor opportunities. We found our faith communities at Biltmore Church and First Baptist Church of Hendersonville, where I play trumpet in the orchestras. Our children attended and graduated from Henderson County Public Schools. One of my favorite things to do when I have a few moments of free time is ride my motorcycle along the backroads of the county, by the rivers and forests and farmland. Every morning, I wake up look out the window, and think I am the luckiest person in the world. Everything I treasure is here.

I’ve spent my career in medicine and science.

I have worked for 35 years as an anatomical and surgical pathology consultant in locations across the United States and in several foreign countries. I’ve practiced or taught at numerous university medical centers and hospitals including Yale, Sloan-Kettering, UCLA, and the Cleveland Clinic.

My work experience has shaped the way I approach problems and life in general. Facts matter to me. Finding a solution matters. Staying cool-headed and objective matters. I am used to working with colleagues on important matters, but I have little patience for meaningless talk and grandstanding. 

I’m looking forward to starting a new chapter in life, but the lessons learned as Doctor and scientist will always be a part of who I am.

Faith is important to me.

My faith guides me in everything I do. I have a very clear memory from when I was a child in Colorado and my father worked for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. One day he drove me out into the middle of nowhere. I couldn’t imagine what we were doing, but finally we came to an encampment. People were living in boxes, which I’d never seen. And they were all glad to see my father because he helped them get jobs so they could provide for their families. I’ll never forget that. This is how scripture tells us to live, to help the less fortunate, to have compassion, to see the person beyond the label.

I never planned to run for office.

This is unfamiliar territory for me! After the last few election cycles, I became discouraged because so many races had gone uncontested and were essentially decided by hyperpartisan politicians making deals behind closed doors. I felt I had to do whatever I could to ensure that Henderson County voters have real representation in Raleigh, and that led to entering the race for District 117.

I strongly believe we need to give the people back their voice. It’s not a democracy if voters don’t have a choice. It’s not a democracy if a small group of officials makes decisions without transparency. It’s not a democracy if our districts are gerrymandered to the point that a few extremists are choosing their voters rather than voters choosing their leaders.

My priorities include planned growth, strong public education, respect for human rights, and affordable housing and healthcare.