PICKENS — State Senator Larry A. Martin (R-Pickens) has announced he intends to file for re-election to the S.C. Senate District 2 seat on Friday.

Martin, the first non-attorney to serve as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, was first elected to the state Senate in 1992 and previously served in the South Carolina House of Representatives.

Martin

“It has been a great honor to represent the people of Pickens County in the General Assembly. I truly appreciate the confidence that has been placed in me to serve and to hopefully make our county and state a better place. I don’t take for granted the upcoming primary campaign and humbly ask for the continued support of the citizens in Pickens County on June 14, Martin stated. When asked about his accomplishments, Martin stated the recent bill that he and other members of the Pickens Delegation just pushed through the Legislature to stop coal ash from being dumped near Liberty was a good example of his leadership and effectiveness. “Pushing that bill through the Legislature in a very short period of time did not just happen because it was a good idea. I utilized every resource at my disposal to draft a workable bill and prepare it for introduction. Then it became a team effort as each member of the Pickens Delegation did his part in getting it through both houses and to the Governor’s desk,” Martin said.

“Also, I am extremely proud of the domestic violence reform legislation that was enacted last session,” the Pickens Senator commented. “For much too long our state has led the nation in domestic violence deaths, and that important legislation is just the beginning of a much larger effort to reverse that awful statistic.”

Martin also pointed to reform efforts that began with a major state government restructuring bill early in his term as Judiciary Committee chairman. “I used the influence of the Judiciary chairmanship to work closely with Governor Haley and other reform-minded legislators to build on the late Governor Carroll Campbell’s cabinet initiative. We also formalized legislative oversight of state agencies so that the General Assembly has an ongoing responsibility to closely examine every state agency over a seven year cycle.”

The Senator concluded, “The Senate just passed a significant reform of the Department of Transportation that also dedicates $400 million of existing general fund revenues toward repairing our roads without raising taxes. Very soon, I intend to make another run at meaningful ethics reform. The bill would require independent investigations of ethics violations by members of the Legislature and disclose sources of private incomes.”

Martin and his wife, Susan, have three children, one grandchild, and are longtime Pickens residents. The Martins are active members of Pickens First Baptist Church where he serves as a Sunday School teacher and church moderator. Martin has been associated with Alice Manufacturing Company in Easley for almost 35 years.

“I’m proud that all three of our children went through our local public schools, graduated from Clemson University, and are gainfully employed,” Martin chuckled.