Karen Martínez
Karen Martínez is a member of the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District Board in California, representing Trustee Area 2. Martínez assumed office in 2018. Martínez's current term ends on December 11, 2026.
Martínez is running for election to the San Jose City Council to represent District 5 in California. Martínez is on the ballot in the primary on June 2, 2026.[source]
Elections
2026
See also: City elections in San Jose, California (2026)
General election
The primary will occur on June 2, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Nonpartisan primary
Nonpartisan primary election for San Jose City Council District 5
Incumbent Peter Ortiz (Nonpartisan), Nora Campos (Nonpartisan), Vy Dang (Nonpartisan), and Karen Martínez (Nonpartisan) are running in the primary for San Jose City Council District 5 on June 2, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Peter Ortiz (Nonpartisan) | ||
 | Nora Campos (Nonpartisan) | |
| Vy Dang (Nonpartisan) | ||
| Karen Martínez (Nonpartisan) | ||
| ||||
 = 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. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
2022
See also: Municipal elections in Santa Clara County, California (2022)
General election
General election for San Jose-Evergreen Community College District Trustee Area 2
Incumbent Karen Martínez defeated Anthony Macias in the general election for San Jose-Evergreen Community College District Trustee Area 2 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Karen Martínez (Nonpartisan) | 60.0 | 10,811 | |
 | Anthony Macias (Nonpartisan) | 40.0 | 7,195 | |
| Total votes: 18,006 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2018
See also: Municipal elections in Santa Clara County, California (2018)
General election
General election for San Jose-Evergreen Community College District Trustee Area 2
Karen Martínez defeated Paula Quintero and Scott Hung Pham in the general election for San Jose-Evergreen Community College District Trustee Area 2 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Karen Martínez (Nonpartisan) | 37.0 | 7,543 | |
| Paula Quintero (Nonpartisan) | 31.6 | 6,442 | ||
| Scott Hung Pham (Nonpartisan) | 31.4 | 6,414 | ||
| Total votes: 20,399 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2016
Two of the five seats on the Alum Rock Union School District board of trustees were up for at-large general election on November 8, 2016. In their bids for re-election, incumbents Dolores Marquez and Karen Martinez defeated challenger Bruce Huynh.[1][2]
Results
| Alum Rock Union School District, At-large General Election, 4-year terms, 2016 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Dolores Marquez Incumbent |
37.66% | 13,261 |
| Karen Martinez Incumbent |
35.68% | 12,562 |
| Bruce Huynh | 26.66% | 9,386 |
| Total Votes | 35,209 | |
| Source: Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, "Official Final Results," accessed December 7, 2016 | ||
Funding
Martinez reported $7,530.00 in contributions and $2,484.03 in expenditures to the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, which left her campaign with $5,045.97 on hand in the election.[3]
Endorsements
Martinez was endorsed by CCSA Advocates.[4]
2012
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Dolores Marquez Incumbent |
32.8% | 10,650 | |
| Nonpartisan | Karen Martinez |
27.4% | 8,889 | |
| Nonpartisan | Esau Herrera Incumbent | 22.6% | 7,349 | |
| Nonpartisan | Leland Lowe | 17.2% | 5,603 | |
| Total Votes | 32,491 | |||
| Source: Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, "Presidential General Election November 6, 2012 Official Final Election Results," accessed July 3, 2014 | ||||
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Karen Martínez has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. Send a message to Karen Martínez asking them to fill out the survey. If you are Karen Martínez, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
Who fills out Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey?
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You can ask Karen Martínez to fill out this survey by using the button below or emailing martinezforsj@gmail.com.
Campaign website
Martínez's campaign website stated the following:
Karen's Plan
East San José should be a place where families feel safe, children receive a quality education, and every neighbor has the opportunity to thrive. I’ve spent my life working to make that vision a reality from serving on the Alum Rock School Board and San Jose Evergreen Community College Board to decades of grassroots work in our neighborhoods.
On the San Jose City Council, I’ll focus on the basics, deliver results, and put our residents first.
Public Safety & Vibrant Neighborhoods
Safe streets and clean neighborhoods are the foundation of a strong community. I’ll work to fully staff our police, reduce crime, improve traffic safety, and partner with residents to fight blight and build trust.
Housing & Homelessness Solutions
We can tackle homelessness with urgency and compassion by building affordable housing, cutting red tape, and providing humane, effective shelter while keeping streets and parks safe and clean for everyone.
Education & Opportunity
Strong schools are the heart of neighborhoods. I’ll partner with educators, parents, nonprofits, and local organizations to ensure every child receives a quality education and families have the resources they need to succeed.
Stronger Local Economy
East San José deserves thriving small businesses and good-paying jobs. I’ll work to cut bureaucracy, support local entrepreneurs, and attract investment that creates opportunity without losing the character of our neighborhoods.
Clean, Well-Maintained Infrastructure
Potholes, broken sidewalks, and neglected parks hurt our quality of life. I’ll prioritize repairing streets, maintaining parks, and expanding neighborhood clean-up programs.
Transparent, Accountable Government
City Hall should work for you. I’ll fight for open communication, public access to decision-making, and clear reporting so residents know exactly where their tax dollars go.
— Karen Martínez's campaign website (April 4, 2026)
2022
Karen Martínez did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, "Contest/Candidate Proof List," accessed August 17, 2016
- ↑ Santa Clara County, "November 8, 2016 Presidential General Election Summary," accessed November 9, 2016
- ↑ Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, "County of Santa Clara Public Portal for Campaign Finance Disclosure," accessed February 7, 2017
- ↑ CCSA Advocates, "Our Endorsements: November 2016 Elections," accessed October 27, 2016
