James G. Martin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James G. Martin
Martin at Johnson AFB, December 1988
70th Governor of North Carolina
In office January 5, 1985 – January 9, 1993
Lieutenant	Robert Jordan Jim Gardner
Preceded by	Jim Hunt
Succeeded by	Jim Hunt
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 9th district
In office January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1985
Preceded by	Charles R. Jonas
Succeeded by	Alex McMillan
Member of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners
In office 1967–1973
Personal details
Born	James Grubbs Martin (1935-12-11) December 11, 1935 (age 89) Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Dorothy Ann McAulay
Children	3
Residences	Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
Alma mater	Davidson College (BS) Princeton University (PhD)
Profession	professor, politician, writer organic chemist

James Grubbs Martin (born in 1935) is an American chemist and politician. He served as the 70th governor of North Carolina from 1985 to 1993. Before becoming governor, he was a U.S. representative for North Carolina's 9th congressional district. He held this position for six terms, from 1973 to 1985.

James Martin is a member of the Republican Party. He was the third Republican to be elected governor of North Carolina since the Reconstruction period. He was also the first Republican to serve two full terms as the state's governor.

Early Life and Education

James Grubbs Martin was born on December 11, 1935, in Savannah. He grew up in South Carolina. In 1957, he graduated from Davidson College with a Bachelor of Science degree. Soon after, on June 1, he married Dorothy Ann McAulay. She was from Charlotte, North Carolina. James Martin was also a tuba player and joined music and social fraternities in college.

Academic Career and Chemistry

James Martin earned his PhD in chemistry from Princeton University in 1960. A PhD is a very high university degree. After this, he became a chemistry professor at his old school, Davidson College. He taught there until 1972. While teaching, he also advised the college's Young Republicans club.

Political Journey Begins

James Martin joined the Republican Party in the early 1960s. He explained that he joined the minority party because he felt the South needed more than one main political party. In 1966, he was elected to the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners. He served on this board for seven years. He even led the board as chairman from 1967 to 1968, and again briefly in 1971. He also became president of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners.

Serving in Congress (1973–1985)

In 1972, James Martin was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He represented the North Carolina's 9th congressional district, which included Charlotte. He served six terms in Congress. During his time there, he was a member of the United States House Committee on Ways and Means. This committee handles important financial and tax laws. He also chaired the House Republican Research Committee. In 1983, he received an award from the American Chemical Society. This award recognized his excellent public service as a chemist.

In 1984, Governor Jim Hunt could not run for office again because of term limits. James Martin ran for governor as a Republican. He won the election against the state attorney general, Rufus Edmisten. Martin won by a good margin, partly because Ronald Reagan was re-elected president in a big victory that year. This helped other Republicans win their elections. Martin also got help when Lieutenant Governor Jimmy Green supported him. Green was a Democrat who had lost to Edmisten in the primary election. His support helped Martin win votes from conservative Democrats in eastern North Carolina.

Governor of North Carolina (1985–1993)

When James Martin ran for governor, he made a special promise. He said he would make sure that the construction of Interstate 40 from Raleigh to Wilmington, North Carolina would be finished before he left office. This part of I-40 was the last section to be completed across the country. Finishing it would connect the southeastern coast to the rest of the state. Governor Martin kept his promise. The last part of I-40 was finished before his first term ended.

Martin was easily re-elected in 1988. He defeated Lieutenant Governor Bob Jordan. By winning a second term, he became the only Republican to be elected governor of North Carolina twice.

Life After Politics

In 1993, James Martin left political life. He became the chairman of the board for the James Cannon Research Center. This center is part of Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2012, he was asked to lead an investigation. This investigation looked into academic problems at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. For the 2016 presidential election, Martin supported fellow Republican John Kasich.

Books Written

• Revelation through Science (2016)

Legacy and Recognition

In January 2017, the Pope Center for Higher Education Policy changed its name. It became the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, named after Governor Martin. Governor Martin also serves on the board of directors for this center.

Images for kids

• 

  1987. First term portrait

• 

  1988. Martin at Johnson AFB with U.S. Senator Jesse Helms (right)

• 

  1988. Martin and U.S. President Ronald Reagan

• 

  1991. Martin and U.S. President George H. W. Bush