Martinez Fischer, age 54, is a lawyer and chairman of the Texas House Democratic Caucus. He was first elected to the Texas Legislature in 2000, serving through 2016 when he unsuccessfully sought a Texas Senate seat. He regained his former seat in 2018. He is seeking a fourth consecutive term in the Texas House this year, and does not have Republican opponent.
Hear from the candidate
Please tell voters about yourself.
I was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2001 when I was 29 years old. I have since served 11 sessions in the Texas House, earning a number of awards and recognition such as Texas Monthly’s 10 Best Legislator in 2013 and 2015. I am the second member to have the honor of serving as Chairman of both the Mexican American Legislative Caucus and, now, the House Democratic Caucus.
I have fought hard to protect Texans’ freedoms and liberties every step of the way. I was the first in my family to go to college, and as a product of NISD schools — my priorities for fully funded public education in Texas come from personal experience. After completing law school in Austin, I have spent the last 25 years as an attorney in San Antonio, providing counsel to individuals and businesses in every neighborhood of our great city.
What three issues do you consider to be most pressing for your district and how do you plan to address them?
I’ve had the honor to represent House District 116 for nearly 22 years, and in that time I have prioritized in the legislature for economic opportunity, education access, and fulfilling the promise of our democracy. I’ve had the honor to represent House District 116 for nearly 22 years, and in that time I have prioritized in the legislature: economic opportunity, education access, and fulfilling the promise of our democracy.
This next session, the biggest issues Texans face that demand action and solutions are fully funding our public schools while stopping the attack on education via private school vouchers, protecting Texans freedom to vote by passing common sense voting rights legislation, and addressing top health care priorities like maternal mortality, health care access and the needs of the uninsured. As Chair of the House Democratic Caucus I will use every tool, whether persuasion or procedure, to succeed.
Do you support the creation of a school voucher program? If so, what specifics are you looking for? Are you willing to leave the next session without approving additional public school funding?
No I don’t. Texas ranks in the bottom 10 states for per-pupil funding, and is considered one of the worst funded states for public education. Yet, instead of using our $36 billion surplus to meet the dire funding needs in our neighborhood schools — Gov. Greg Abbott refused, and held our budget surplus hostage in order to pass his voucher scams.
But I will not relent in defending our public schools, and led our House Democratic Caucus through every special session last year challenging a scheme which would only pull money out of struggling school districts.
Describe how you plan to be an effective lawmaker in a governing body where leadership controls much of the agenda.
As Chairman of the Texas House Democratic Caucus — I look at our opportunity next session as not only focusing on expanding our democratic numbers this November, but looking at every rule and every tool in our toolbox to defend the values that our constituents expect us to fight for. I will use my experience, skill and knowledge of the House rules to leverage pragmatic policy solutions to complex problems.
How do you solicit input and feedback from residents in your district?
Since being elected in 2001, I have built relationships with neighbors, families, civic leaders, and community advocates all across House District 116. I am committed to hearing from the residents across my district and I wouldn’t be in this office without them. Whether it’s showing up and listening to family businesses and restaurants I’ve been supporting in the district for 20 years, participating in town halls and distributing information about our legislative changes to constituents, or having an open office in the Capitol for any Bexar County resident to call or visit.
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