Representative Jimmy Martin began his political career in 1962 when he ran for office as Coroner of Chilton County, Alabama. Since taking office in January 1963, and having since been elected to the Alabama House of Representatives, he has been an elected official in Chilton County for 44 years. When he runs again for re-election, he hopes to make it 48 years.

Representative Martin has always been a leader, having run the family business, Martin Funeral Home, in Clanton since the age of 21. Through both his occupation and elected office, Representative Martin has learned how to be a compassionate and avid listener. “The most rewarding part of being a Representative is being able to help people. I’ve been in the funeral business all my life to help people, and (being a Representative) is just an extension of being of service to people,” Representative Martin says.

Representative Martin also understands the needs of his constituents, and is quick to answer correspondence. “If somebody sends me an email, I try to return it immediately, and phone calls, I try to return them the day of the call,” he notes. This is especially important to those he represents, including P&CMA member Jim Wadsworth of Wadsworth Oil Company of Clanton, Inc. Wadsworth has known Representative Martin and his family for more than 20 years, and is also a neighbor. “I can always get in touch with him…he has been a good Representative,” Wadsworth comments. “He and his family are well thought of in the community.”

Other than serving the people in Chilton and Shelby Counties, Representative Martin believes his responsibility is total service to these constituents. In addition, he sponsored a consumer protection bill that calls for the removal of Social Security numbers from commercial drivers’ licenses and traffic accident reports to prevent those drivers from identity theft.

In addition to his work and political office, Representative Martin is active in the First Baptist Church, Clanton, and the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce. He supports the Chilton County School System, and has been on the Board of Directors for the local YMCA for more than a decade. Representative Martin also serves as a member of the Alabama Funeral Directors’ Association and is a former member of the Jaycees. “I’m just happy that I was elected to be the Representative for District 42...” was Representative Martin’s response when asked about his office and the responsibilities that come along with it.

Representative Martin has been married to his wife, Norma, for 43 years, and they have two children, Jim Martin and his wife Vicky, Kim Robinson and her husband Shane. They have seven grandchildren, David and his wife Jennifer, Kassie, Kristin, Kamber, Ty, Shayna and Shelbie and three great-grandchildren, Mallory, Emma Grace and Brady.