Meet George

My name is George Martinez, I am a father, educator, cultural ambassador, community entrepreneur and a candidate for Mayor of Anchorage in 2021. I am humbled and grateful to be able to live, work and raise my family in the great city of Anchorage on the ancestral Athabaskan land of the Dena’ina. In 2007, when I first stepped foot in the city I knew in my heart that there was a unique calling for Anchorage and that one day it would become the shining city by the sea that so many have imagined. Anchorage is a proud and welcoming city, built on a foundation of hope and hard work, blessed with favor, and vibrant with people of all kinds living in peace and prosperity.

Over the last several months I’ve talked with hundreds of members of our community who share the same growing concerns about their family’s safety, and economic future of our city. They are tired of Anchorage teetering between standing still or falling behind and they are tired of excuses from ambitious leaders who just don’t know what to do or who are unwilling to make things happen.

That’s why I’m running for Mayor; to reset, rebuild and rebound, our city to a stronger, better prepared and more prosperous place to live, work and thrive. It’s time for a new choice, and fresh voice for working families. My vision is for a connected, safe and thriving city where our economy grows through innovation, inclusion, and education; where our neighborhoods and families flourish, and where our children are healthy and successful.

I know first hand the challenges that emerging and marginalized communities face. During my early years I grew up as a child of a single mom on public assistance experiencing harsh urban realities the likes of which we never want to see for any members of our community. But my mother taught me how to survive and persevere. I eventually went on to earning a doctoral fellowship, building successful international organizations and receiving diplomatic appointments under both the Bush and Obama administrations. Through it all I’ve gained an unparalleled depth of practical and policy experience spanning across urban and rural communities, and the public and private sectors. I understand what makes communities thrive and how to effectively deal with urban challenges.

I proudly served as a special assistant to the Mayor of Anchorage for economic development, youth development, education and diversity for 4 years with an overarching mission to make local government more accessible and effective for the people of Anchorage. During my time I built a strong record of accomplishment and reputation for getting things done which is why I know first hand the challenges, successes and opportunities our city faces. I also know that leading Anchorage is not just about having a vision, it’s about the ability to bring people together to accomplish practical solutions that improve quality of life, increase public safety, expand economic opportunity and limit the growth of unnecessary government bureaucracy.

“I know that by bringing people with different values together to get things done, we can unleash the entrepreneurial spirit of individuals for the benefit of our city.”
George Martinez

Today my family and I own a home on the East Side and we have two children in the school district. My wife is a small business owner and I am currently a program director for the Alaska Humanities Forum, a statewide nonprofit organization. I remain actively committed to civic service and have mentored dozens of emerging Alaskan leaders over the last 12 years. I sit the board of directors of several local organizations including Anchorage’s Promise (Kid’s Day), UAA’s Chancellor’s Advisory Board, and ASD’s Multicultural Education Advisory Committee. I am a founding member of the Anchorage Cops for Community’s advisory board, a co-founder of the civic group, We Are Anchorage, and the founder of the Anchorage Artist Cooperative.

Anchorage is the gem of the last frontier, but like any gem, our home is precious, in constant need of care. So let us commit to care for Anchorage together. I hope you will join me in bringing people together to build Anchorage forward. I am George Martinez, and I humbly ask for your support and vote for Mayor of Anchorage in 2021.

Donate Now to help me bring a new day to city hall! Thank you for your consideration.