| John L. Martin | |
| Office: | 91st Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives |
| Term Start: | 1975 |
| Term End: | 1994 |
| Predecessor: | Richard Hewes |
| Successor: | Dan Gwadosky |
| State Senate1: | Maine |
| District1: | 35th |
| Term Start1: | 2000 |
| Term End1: | 2008 |
| Office2: | Member of the Maine House of Representatives |
| Term Start2: | December 2014 |
| Term End2: | December 7, 2022 |
| Predecessor2: | Michael Nadeau |
| Successor2: | Kristi Mathieson |
| Constituency2: | 151st district |
| Term Start3: | December 2008 |
| Term End3: | December 2012 |
| Successor3: | Michael Nadeau |
| Constituency3: | 1st district |
| Term Start4: | 1964 |
| Term End4: | 1994 |
| Constituency4: | 1st district |
| Birth Date: | 5 June 1941 |
| Birth Place: | Eagle Lake, Maine, U.S. |
| Party: | Democratic |
| Alma Mater: | University of Maine |
| Profession: | educator, University of Maine |
| Residence: | Eagle Lake, Maine |
John L. Martin (born June 5, 1941, in Eagle Lake, Maine) is an American politician of the Democratic Party. Martin has been in Maine politics since his first election to the Maine House of Representatives in 1964, and is sometimes called "The Earl of Eagle Lake" as a result. With his election in 2014, he is the longest serving legislator in Maine history.[1]
Martin was a member of the Maine House of Representatives from 1964 through 1994, serving as Minority Floor Leader from 1971 through 1974. Following that he was elected Speaker of the House from 1975 through 1994. In 1992, one of his aides was convicted in a ballot tampering scandal involving two close House races. It is believed that, combined with his length of service, contributed to Maine voters approving legislative term limits in 1993.[2] [3] In criticizing term limits in 2014, Governor Paul LePage cited Martin as an example of how experienced legislators would benefit the State as opposed to inexperienced legislators with "firm agendas".[4]
From 2000 through 2008, Martin represented the 35th district in the Maine Senate. During that time he also served as Assistant Majority Leader.
In 2008, Martin was again elected to the House. He was defeated for re-election in 2012 by Republican Michael Nadeau. Martin stated it was due to money and negative campaigning, stating that "If you throw enough mud around, some of it’s going to stick." Financial problems, including failing to pay back loans from two government agencies for his Tamarack Inn, as well as a bankruptcy, may also have played a role in his defeat. He did not rule out running in the future, and said he would remain involved in politics.
Martin filed to enter the 2014 race for his old seat, which was re-numbered District 151.[5] State records erroneously listed him as a Republican despite his still being a Democrat. Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap stated the error would be corrected.[6] Martin defeated Nadeau in the November 4, 2014 election.[7] In 2024 Martin declared a run for his old house seat yet again, he is currently 82 years old.[8]
Martin is single.[9]
In 1963, Martin received his BA in History/Government from the University of Maine Orono.