Jessica serves on the Whittier City Council. She is the Mayor Pro-Tem for the city. She is the wife of a veteran, a mother of five grown children, and is an active member of her church and community. She is an educator with a Juris Doctorate Degree from Trinity Law School, a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from LMU, and Master’s Degrees in both International Human Rights and Bio-Ethics.

Jessica Martinez will:

Protect our FAITH

Protect our FAMILIES

Protect our FREEDOM, and

Protect us from THE MARCH TOWARDS SOCIALISM!

————————————————————————–

My Thoughts on Religion and Government

I believe that every citizen has a right to religious freedom. That is, to practice a religion or not practice a religion. I believe the 1st amendment is clear on the separation of church and state – “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”

Clearly, free exercise of religion is under attack. Forcing people to perform activities that contravene their sincere religious beliefs is in violation of the Constitution and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Some religions do not condone abortion or gay marriage – should government force doctors to perform abortions or bakers to bake cakes for gay couples, if their beliefs are contrary to government edicts? I say no! Should government tell religious orders of nuns that they must offer abortion in their medical plans? I say no! Should an evangelical church be told they have to hire a gay secretary? I say no! Should churches be told they must marry gay couples in their church? I say no! Should pacifist Quakers be forced into the military? I say no! Should Christian Scientists be forced to have vaccinations and life-saving medical treatments? I say no!

While my faith and conscience encourages me to be kind, tolerant and supportive of differences among us, I do not have to sacrifice my religious beliefs. Government should not intrude into well-established and earnestly-held beliefs.

I am a Christian and follow the Bible’s teachings. I am pro-life and believe every life has purpose, is precious and must be protected.

————————————————————————–

As a devoted Christian, I believe in the Bible and is teachings. I am a firm believer in our constitution and our republican form of government. Our Constitution includes a 1st Amendment (the first sixteen words) that clearly states that government shall not interfere with religious freedom. While we do not attend religious services to get civics lessons, we do need to recognize that there are negative forces opposed to our rights regarding religious freedom. If we do not take minimal steps to counter those forces, we will continue to see our freedom to practice our faith eroded.

—————————————————————————

I am a Republican and a Christian who believes in the freedoms the Constitution guarantees the citizens of the United States. The right to life and to bear arms are important values that guarantee all the rest. The freedom to work hard and make homes for our families is contingent upon the maintenance of free enterprise and freedom of movement. Socialism impoverishes and enslaves people while free enterprise liberates people and builds wealth for all. Government is created to be the servant of the people and exists for the benefit of the people.

—————————————————————————

Jessica Martinez is Mayor Pro-Tem for the City Council of Whittier. She is the wife of a veteran, Paul, a mother of five grown children, and an active member of her church and community. Jessica is an Educator with a Juris Doctorate, Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, a Master’s Degree in International Human Rights, and a Master’s Degree in Bio-Ethics. She has lived in Whittier for more than 20 years.

Jessica enjoys traveling and has been to many countries, including Russia, Germany, France, Cambodia and Ukraine. She plays piano and guitar. Prior employers include SCE (in communications), the federal government and public schools.

Jessica is a delegate to the Contract Cities Association. This association of 73 cities in the Southland provides a venue for cities to promote and share local values and protect city sovereignty. She also serves as a board member on the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority, the Whittier Puente Hills Conservation Authority, the Wildlife Corridor Authority, and the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District.

Jessica has worked with the California Constitutional Rights Foundation. This group seeks to instill in our nation’s youth a deeper understanding of citizenship through values expressed in our Constitution and its Bill of Rights, and, to educate young people to become active and responsible participants in our society.

In addition, she serves as the 1st Vice-Chair of the Los Angeles Hispanic Republican Club. She is also a member of the Republican Party of Los Angeles County and is delegate to the California Republican Party.

——————————————————————————–

YOUTUBE video of Jessica being interviewed by Real Impact.

——————————————————————————–

I am a proud supporter of Prop 13 and believe the constraints it places on taxing agencies is appropriate. This proposition has reduced the number of forced evictions of people on fixed incomes (mostly seniors and the disabled) and made the annual property tax bill more stable. Prior to Prop 13, taxing agencies simply set the rate at what the agency felt was needed to operate the government rather setting government budgets in accordance with available and reasonable property taxes.

——————————————————————————–

About the 56th Assembly District
Created by Re-districting Commission in December, 2021
Population: 493,173

Includes all or portions of the cities and unincorporated L.A. County areas of:

Avocado Heights
La Habra Heights
Rowland Heights
Diamond Bar
La Puente
South El Monte
El Monte
Los Nietos
Walnut
Hacienda Heights
North Whittier
West Whittier
Industry
Pico Rivera
Whittier

——————————————————————————–

If you live in the 38th Congressional District, the 30th California Senate District, or the 56th and 64th California Assembly Districts, welcome to YOU FIRST! Country!

What Is YOU FIRST? YOU FIRST! is a coalition of four candidates running for office that share a common calling and are running for districts which significantly overlap!

The coalition is comprised of Eric Ching for the 38th Congressional District, Mitch Clemmons for the 30th California Senate District, Jessica Martinez for the 56th California Assembly District, and Raul Ortiz, Jr. for the 64th California Assembly District. These four people have received a call to serve and believe that we are here to put God first, and in the political dimension, to put the People first!