Jack Martin

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Jack Martin

Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 20, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

Central Bible College, 1983

Personal

Birthplace

Newark, N.J.

Religion

Assemblies of God (Pentecostal)

Profession

Senior pastor, county fire department chaplain, emergency response team member

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Jack Martin (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Florida's 12th Congressional District. He did not appear on the ballot for the Republican primary on August 20, 2024.

Biography

Jack Martin was born in Newark, New Jersey. Martin studied at Union County College and Zion Bible College and earned a bachelor's degree from Central Bible College in 1983. His career experience includes working as a senior pastor, county fire department chaplain, and member of the Florida ESF-8 emergency response team. Martin has been affiliated with the Assemblies of God, the Republican Party of Florida, the NRA, the Republican Liberty Caucus, and Liberty Pastors.

Elections

2024

See also: Florida's 12th Congressional District election, 2024

Florida's 12th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 20 Democratic primary)

Florida's 12th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 20 Republican primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Florida District 12

Incumbent Gus M. Bilirakis defeated Rock Aboujaoude Jr. in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 12 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Gus M. Bilirakis (R)	71.0	306,487
		Rock Aboujaoude Jr. (D)	29.0	124,949

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 431,436
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Rock Aboujaoude Jr. advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 12.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 12

Incumbent Gus M. Bilirakis defeated Harry Dunlap in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 12 on August 20, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Gus M. Bilirakis	84.3	59,946
		Harry Dunlap	15.7	11,182

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 71,128
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Jack Martin (R)

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Martin in this election.

2022

See also: Florida's 12th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Florida District 12

Incumbent Gus M. Bilirakis defeated Kimberly Walker and Charles Smith in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 12 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Gus M. Bilirakis (R)	70.4	226,601
		Kimberly Walker (D)	29.6	95,390
	Submit photo	Charles Smith (No Party Affiliation) (Write-in)	0.0	4

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 321,995
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Kimberly Walker advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 12.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 12

Incumbent Gus M. Bilirakis defeated Jack Martin, Chris Leiser, Brian Perras, and Sid Preskitt in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 12 on August 23, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Gus M. Bilirakis	79.7	67,189
		Jack Martin	9.2	7,790
		Chris Leiser	4.7	4,000
		Brian Perras	3.8	3,217
		Sid Preskitt	2.5	2,142

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 84,338
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Michael Carnevale (R)

Endorsements

To view Martin's endorsements in the 2022 election, please click here.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Jack Martin did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2022

Jack Martin completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Martin's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Served 37 Years as a Senior Pastor, 17 of those years as founder and Chaplain for Spring Hill Fire Rescue / Hernando Fire Rescue. Principal of Gowanda Christian Academy K-12, member of State of Florida ESF-8 Emergency Response Team. Blackrobe Regiment Pastor, Previously Inventory Control Supervisor Clark Door Company, Cranford New Jersey. I will be married 40 years this coming June, Father of six great kids, all homeschooled, 5 through college, the sixth in college. 2 with Masters, one in Law School. Wife Dee is my best friend and strength behind me.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Insure Election Integrity including Voter ID
• Finish the wall, return illegal immigrants to their own nation, establish a sound immigration policy nationally
• Press America First inisitatives to restore all aspects of Americas greatness

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The Constitution, including strongly the first, second, and tenth.

Pro-Life
End human trafficking
Pro Veterans and active Military
Backing the blue
Strong Voter integrity
School Choice
Abolish the Federal Dept of Education and restore that to the states, counties, school districts, and most certainly the parents.

Clean up corruption in our 3 letter agencies

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Jesus, Martin Niemoeller, missionary James Elliot, our founding fathers

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The Light and the Glory by Peter Marshall
The Declaration of Independence

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty

Historical and Constitutional knowledge
Commitment to the oath he or she takes
Unity

Flexability

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Honest

knowledgeable
reasonable
Flexible
industrious
team player

Morally sound

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign or domestic. Represent the people of his district in their entirety. Serving is not a Republican or Democrat issue, its a representative role both for ones district and for the entire nation when negotiating bills an laws.

What legacy would you like to leave?

In the words of the song, that I knew when to hold them, knew when to fold them, knew when to walk away, and knew when to run.

But on a serious note that I would come to congress working hard and have that same work ethic on my last day there and that people would remember I was fair but firm. And I made a difference. Id like to leave having people be glad they served with me.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The assassination of John F. Kennedy and then Bobby, and then Martin Luther King. 10 years old when Jack Kennedy was killed.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Paperboy had from age 12 to 15

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Bible. Of all books, I have ever read and that is many the Bible has most influenced my life, taught me the most, and helped me be a better person

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Superman

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Am I the only one

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

In my early years I began to drink and do drugs at an early age and it took getting a DUI, and then the death of my best friend to wake me up and get me back on a moral path. That was age 27, I have never had a drink or a drug since other than normal prescription medicine for my health.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

It controls the purse strings and thus has great financial responsibility, when used properly they have authority over impeachment, I stress when used properly. They give the fairest representation to a state by virtue of selection by population. They chair the state of the Union.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

No. I don't say that it hurts, but I do notice a tendency in contemporary times and perhaps even from the earliest days for corruption to sneak in more in those who have served long term or in previous political positions.

I have never served, but fully understand the role of a Congressman, I am well versed in the Constitution and I know the issues.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

There are several pieces, return to the true enforcement of all of the US Constitution, help marriages to last, have parents returned to power regarding school policy and teaching, reassert ourselves as the moral leader of the world. Remain militarily strong, seal the border and truly establish a clear definable immigration policy. Stop the mad spending.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

I would like those related to foreign relationships, perhaps ethics. But would be open to being used where needed, but would not compromise to gain a committee seat.

If you are a current representative, why did you join your current committees?

N/A

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes

What are your thoughts on term limits?

They must finally come to be. I have signed on with the US Term Limits group to introduce or support such legislation if elected.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

John Quincy Adams

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I think the ones that break my heart are connected with veterans who have served our country and suffered either physical injury or PTSD and who have been harmed by it to the point that they are no longer a part of society at large. Those stories break my heart

Tell us your favorite joke.

A protestant man fell in love with a catholic girl and wanted to marry her. The local priest said not unless he became a catholic, so he went through a ceremony where the priest sprinkled holy water on him and said you were born a protestant, you were raised a protestant, you are now a catholic. He went on to marry his girlfriend. But he had a habit in the past of grilling steaks in his yard and he was told he could only have fish on Friday. After many weeks he couldn't take it and went out back and fired up the grill. Word got back to the priest that the smell of steak was coming from his yard. The priest rushed down to bring it to a halt but as he turned the corner he heard the man saying, you were born a steer, you were raised a steer, you are not a fish.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

There are areas where compromise is both good and attainable, but likewise, there are moral or ethical areas where Compromise is a death toll to the nation. We do need to return civility to the House and Senate.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

I believe first all amounts of money should pass a Constitutional test, I would like to see one item bills, I would also like to see a bill posted on a public page 96 hours prior to the vote on it so that Americans can see it and respond prior to the vote.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Jack Martin campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	U.S. House Florida District 12	Withdrew primary	$0	N/A**
2022	U.S. House Florida District 12	Lost primary	$7,209	$1,753
Grand total			$7,209	$1,753
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

See also

2024 Elections

What's on the ballot? U.S. President U.S. Congress U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

Newsletters

The Daily Brew The Weekly Brew The Ballot Bulletin Checks and Balances Economy and Society Hall Pass Number of the Day Robe & Gavel

External links

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Candidate

U.S. House Florida District 12

Website

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Personal

Facebook

LinkedIn

Footnotes

[show]

Florida's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Ashley Moody (R)

Rick Scott (R)

Representatives

District 1

Jimmy Patronis (R)

District 2

Neal Dunn (R)

District 3

Kat Cammack (R)

District 4

Aaron Bean (R)

District 5

John Rutherford (R)

District 6

Randy Fine (R)

District 7

Cory Mills (R)

District 8

Mike Haridopolos (R)

District 9

Darren Soto (D)

District 10

Maxwell Frost (D)

District 11

Daniel Webster (R)

District 12

Gus Bilirakis (R)

District 13

Anna Luna (R)

District 14

Kathy Castor (D)

District 15

Laurel Lee (R)

District 16

Vern Buchanan (R)

District 17

Greg Steube (R)

District 18

Scott Franklin (R)

District 19

Byron Donalds (R)

District 20

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D)

District 21

Brian Mast (R)

District 22

Lois Frankel (D)

District 23

Jared Moskowitz (D)

District 24

Frederica Wilson (D)

District 25

Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D)

District 26

Mario Diaz-Balart (R)

District 27

Maria Elvira Salazar (R)

District 28

Carlos Gimenez (R)

Republican Party (22)

Democratic Party (8)