PLAINVILLE – Local Democratic Town Committee Chair, Board of Education member and nurse, Rebecca Martinez, has announced that she will run for election to the 22nd House District.

"I am excited to announce I am running for State Representative for the 22nd district," she said. "Plainville, Farmington, and Southington are wonderful communities with so much to offer."

Martinez said that she is proud of the work she has done fighting on the front lines of the pandemic and the fight for better education.

"I want to take this same fire and fight I have had for my patients and students to the Capitol to help make sure all constituents get the good service and attention they deserve from our government," she said. "I know I cannot do this work alone and look forward to continuing to build the community coalitions that will help build a stronger Plainville, Southington, and Farmington."

As a nurse, Martinez said that she has seen how the pandemic has made the past two years "hard ones on all of us."

"As a nurse working on the frontlines since the beginning, I know the impact covid has had and continues to have on our communities," she said. "Every day, I hear about my patients’ challenges: healthcare and medication affordability, the lingering effects of covid, and the children’s mental health crisis.""

As a member of the local Board of Education and a parent of two children in Plainville Schools, Martinez said that she has been a "passionate advocate" for students and schools.

"To be a strong advocate, one must understand the importance of working as a partner with our Superintendent, administrators, teachers, and staff, not undermining their expertise and experience," she said. "As a member of the Board of Education, I supported the superintendent’s budget because it was fiscally responsible and the budgeting process was transparent. The public was continuously kept informed about its contents as well as their need to come out to vote on its passage."

Martinez said that she worked with community stakeholders to reach out to all constituencies to ensure that they go out to vote in support of the budget. She also similarly encouraged the community support the Wheeler school renovation a few years ago.

"I was thrilled to see our efforts resulting in both referendums passing by impressive margins," she said.

Martinez said that, if elected, she is eager to get to work on behalf of her constituents.

"I'm not afraid to roll up my sleeves to get to work - Whether that means making phone calls, posting on social media or standing out in a rain poncho with some mom friends to raise awareness of community issues," she said.

Brian M. Johnson can be reached at 860-973-1806 or bjohnson@bristolpress.com.

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