Democrat Eddy Martinez is running to represent parts of Eudora and eastern Lawrence, Jefferson and Leavenworth counties included in Kansas House District 42.
Incumbent Republican Lance Neelly did not respond to this questionnaire. We emailed questionnaires to candidates on Oct. 8, gave them until 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 to respond and sent multiple reminder emails. Neelly did not respond to our questionnaire ahead of the Republican primary election in this race, either.
Martinez shared his perspective on property taxes and the middle class, the “anti-woman agenda” and more.
We did not give candidates a word count limit but advised them to keep answers concise.
Will this race be on my ballot? Check which legislative districts you’re in at myvoteinfo.voteks.org.
Early voting began Wednesday, Oct. 16. Voters can request a ballot to vote early by mail through Tuesday, Oct. 29 at KSVotes.org. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, which is Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Find out more at lawrencekstimes.com/election2024.
Jump to a topic:
• Meet the candidate
• Experience and qualifications
• Top 3 issues
• Legalizing cannabis
• Expanding Medicaid
• Public funds to private schools
• Local control
• Abortion regulations
• LGBTQ+ rights and transgender kids
• Top concerns heard from voters
• Just for fun
This district
District 42 is pictured in orange in this map.
Outside of Douglas County’s boundaries, District 42 is tall and spans parts of Jefferson and Leavenworth counties.
Within Douglas County, it includes Eudora north of Kansas Highway 10 and some parts of the far eastern side of Lawrence, plus parts of Grant and Wakarusa townships.
See a map of the full district at this link.
Meet the candidate
Eddy Martinez
Age: 40
Running as: Democrat
Hometown, and time in Douglas County (or in your current town, for candidates who reside outside of Douglas County)?
I grew up in Berryton, KS. I moved to Lawrence when I turned 18. I’ve lived here for 22 years.
Where you currently reside: I live in the Brook Creek neighborhood of Lawrence.
Day job: I’m a city bus driver. I’ve been driving for 13 years.
How voters can reach you: My email is martinezeddylee@gmail.com. That’s the best way to get a hold of me.
Website; social media links: eddyhd42.com; Eddy for Kansas House on Facebook
About you and your positions
A * indicates an answer was required to submit this questionnaire.
Q: What specific experience and qualifications do you possess that make you the best candidate for the seat you’re seeking?*
I’m a union steward for my location, Amalgamated Transit Union local 1754. I have experience with tough negotiations but also compromise. In case the Democrats don’t flip the statehouse, I know how to keep a more powerful organization accountable.
Q: Please list the top three issues motivating you to run for this office. What concrete ideas do you have to make a difference on each issue if you are elected? Please be as specific as possible.*
Pulling the focus closer to issues that positively affect middle class Kansans, protecting or expanding healthcare in Kansas, Cannabis legalization.
In terms of concrete actions, all three of these issues are overwhelmingly popular with Kansans, yet opposed by the Republican super majority. A strong turnout at the polls can bring lower property taxes, medicaid expansion and cannabis legalization to the table as early as next year. Regardless, electing me will bring one more voice to the House floor, demanding action for middle class Kansans.
Q: Would you support legalizing cannabis in Kansas?*
Options given: Yes, for any use (medicinal, recreational, etc.); Yes, for medicinal use; No
Yes, for any use (medicinal, recreational, etc.)
Q: Would you support expansion of Medicaid in Kansas?*
(Only yes/no options given)
Yes
Q: Would you support initiatives to spend more public money on private schools, such as through vouchers, charter schools, tax credits and so forth?*
(Only yes/no options given)
No
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Q: Please share your views on local control. Do you believe the Legislature should seek to enact state laws that affect municipalities’ ability to self-govern? If so, in what circumstances? If not, how will you stand up for local control?*
Context given to candidates: The Lawrence City Commission in 2022 stripped some protections of immigrants from local ordinances in response to changes in state laws.
The city in 2023 passed a safe haven ordinance to create additional protections for transgender people in response to anti-trans legislation (SB 180 in particular).
The city also approved a ban on single-use plastic bags, which legislators attempted to nullify with a new law that was vetoed this year.
I’m proud of Lawrence and believe we are leaders in the midwest for a number of issues. I do not believe state legislature has a place in nullifying municipal government. There are sufficient protections in place for municipal actions that could affect the rest of the state. I will be on guard against government overreach and bring it to the attention of the rest of the House.
Q: Kansas voters in August 2022 soundly rejected a constitutional amendment that would have opened the door to extreme restrictions on abortion. Still, the Legislature has passed or attempted to pass more laws regulating abortion. Please share your stance on what actions the Legislature should or should not take regarding abortion.*
The radical (and radically unpopular) anti-woman agenda is embarrassing for me as a Kansan and unacceptable to me as a potential Representative. My district includes multiple “health care deserts” (areas with significant shortages, wait times or distance to acquire health care). Furthermore, both Leavenworth city and county have no public OBGYN. What we see in other states with more restrictive health care for women is a brain drain, where doctors leave to practice medicine ethically in other states which allow it. Kansans, especially those in my district, can’t afford more government interference in their health care.
Q: In recent years, the Legislature has increasingly passed or attempted to pass legislation that could have potential negative outcomes for LGBTQ+ people. Please explain your stance on the rights of LGBTQ+ people — particularly transgender kids — and what the Legislature’s role in their lives and health care should be.*
Trans people have made a huge impact on my life. I am active in the LGBTQ community as a gay man. The role of government in the lives of trans folks should be similar to its role in the lives of cis folks in that the government should provide emergency shelters for people experiencing homelessness (which trans people experience at 60% higher rates than cis people). The state also plays a role in addressing violence in the community (which trans people experience at almost 400% higher rates than cis people). Addressing violence and homelessness would help everyone in Kansas but our legislators are taking that opportunity (and our tax dollars) and using it to stoke a hysteria that ultimately convinces otherwise normal parents to alienate their own children.
Optional questions
Q: What would you say is the top concern you’ve heard from voters as you’ve been campaigning, and what actions would you take to better that problem?
An issue I’ve been hearing about on the campaign trail is property taxes. Kansans have some of the highest property tax rates in the nation. I saved up my bus driving money for 10 years to buy my first home two years ago. Just last year my home was assessed for 50% more than the year before. When I was planning on buying a home the conventional wisdom was to wait five years before selling if you wanted to make any equity at all. As it is now, I’ve made some equity but my property taxes (based on the assessment) have gone up so much that I’ve had to give serious thought to selling. Senator Jeff Pittman had a plan to cap property tax assessments that died in committee. If elected I’ll work hard to bring this issue to the attention of more people.
Just for fun
Candidates were not required to answer any of these questions, but we wanted to give our readers a chance to get to know them a little better and have some fun with this.
Favorite color? Purple
Zodiac sign? Sagittarius
Do you have any pets, and/or what’s your favorite animal? Two cats! NutMegan Thee Stallion and Natalie, proudly adopted from the Lawrence Humane Society!
Favorite book, TV show and/or movie? “Erin Brockovich”! She was born in Lawrence!
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