James Martin seeks state school board District 7 seat

James Martin, a Democrat, is running for Utah State Board of Education District 7 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. The race is for the rest of an unexpired term. Republican Erin Longacre is also running.

Asked in our candidate questionnaire why he is seeking the seat, Martin said: "I have been in service to public education for 28 years. … I see the importance of having better leadership on the state school board and think my past experience as a teacher, a principal, a principal supervisor, and a state school board education specialist will be positive contributions to the state school board."

The following answers are from a Surround Sound News candidate questionnaire completed by Martin. All quoted responses are his own words.

Candidate information

Party: "Democrat"

Education: "I have a Bachelor of Education from Westminster University in Elementary Education with a theatre minor. … I received a Master of Education in 1999 from the University of Utah in teaching and learning and then a Doctorate of Education in Education Leadership and Policy, also from the U. I recently went back to school to get a Master f Fine Arts in theatre from the University of Idaho at Moscow."

Family: "I take care of my dad who has dementia. He is 89 years old and lives with me. … I also have a 22 year-old son who also still lives at home."

Biography: Martin was born in Bountiful, Utah, and raised in Salt Lake City, according to his campaign website. He attended East High School.

Experience and public service

Asked about his work history, Martin said in our questionnaire: "I am currently teaching special education to a class of students with severe disabilities including Autism and Down Syndrome. I was a principal in Salt Lake City School District. In fact, I have been endorsed by the former superintendent of Salt Lake District Dr. McKell Withers, who was a previous state superintendent of the year. I have worked in urban and rural schools, at elementary and secondary levels. … I spent two years in school improvement as a Utah State Board education specialist, where I worked with schools struggling to make adequate progress."

Asked about previous offices, Martin said: "This is my first time on the ballot! I have served on nonprofit boards including for Wasatch Theatre Company as its Executive Director (since 1997) and the Utah Cultural Alliance."

On the issues

What are the critical differences between you and other candidates? "… I also do not support the use of public funds for private schools. We should be focusing on ways to build up our public schools, which are seeing declining enrollment. I also believe that the sensitive materials law supported by the state board is causing more damage than good. I am a proponent of finding local solutions to issues of curriculum and book selection. And finally, I am an artist and would protect budget cuts that affect the arts."

Where do you stand on Utah Fits All? "If the Supreme Court uploads the ruling against Utah Fits All, this is a victory for Utah. There is money needed for public schools that is being redirected to the Utah First All program, and the program doesn't have suitable accountability. I would advocate finding better ways of supporting our public schools and focusing on issues that educators and families actually care about, rather than advancing individual ideologies in the name of politics."

What accomplishments would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? "I have a great amount of experience bringing people together including teachers and parents. As a principal, it is necessary to collaborate and negotiate for compromises that support the needs of all. I am an award-winning principal that can bring my experience to bear on day one of serving on the Board."