James D. Martin
American politician (1918–2017)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Douglas Martin (September 1, 1918 – October 30, 2017) was an American politician.[2] A member of the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, he served in the United States House of Representatives from 1965 to 1967.[3]
September 1, 1918
James D. Martin | |
|---|---|
Martin in 1965 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's 7th district | |
| In office January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1967 | |
| Preceded by | Carl Elliott (redistricting) |
| Succeeded by | Tom Bevill |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Douglas Martin[1] September 1, 1918 Tarrant, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | October 30, 2017 (aged 99) Gadsden, Alabama, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic (before 1962) Republican (1962–2017) |
| Spouse | Patricia Martin[1] |
| Children | 3[1] |
| Alma mater | Birmingham School of Law |
Life and career
Martin was born in Tarrant, Alabama, the son of Richard Martin, a railroad engineer, and Mary Graham, a teacher. He attended Birmingham School of Law, earning his law degree. After earning his degree, he served in the United States Army during World War II,[4] which during his service, he was trained in psychological warfare and interrogations at Camp Ritchie. Together with other Ritchie Boys, he arrived in Europe in December 1944, where he was assigned as an intelligence officer in George S. Patton's army of occupation,[5] until his discharge in 1946.[3]
In 1962, Martin ran as a Republican candidate for United States senator of Alabama. He received 195,134 votes, but lost to Democratic incumbent J. Lister Hill, who won with 201,937 votes.[6]
Martin served in the United States House of Representatives from 1965 to 1967.[3] He lost his seat in the House, in 1966, when he ran as a Republican candidate for governor of Alabama. He received 262,943 votes, but lost to Democratic candidate Lurleen Wallace, who won with 537,505 votes.[7]
In 2009, Martin was inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor.[8]
Death
Martin died on October 30, 2017, at his home in Gadsden, Alabama, at the age of 99.[1]
