Candidate Close Up: Betty Martinez

Betty Martinez is running to represent District 5 on the Irvine City Council in next month’s special election. Photo courtesy of Betty Martinez

Betty Martinez, a dedicated member of the Irvine community for 21 years, is stepping up to represent District 5 on the Irvine City Council in the upcoming special election. Having experienced firsthand all that Irvine offers its residents, Martinez wants to serve the community that supported her on her road to achieving the American dream.

“I came from Mexico as an undocumented immigrant 31 years ago with dreams like every other immigrant of having a better life,” Martinez said in a recent Zoom interview. “I worked in the apple fields in Washington, picking apples, and also in the hotel industry as a housekeeper. I did some childcare as well.”

Her journey to Irvine was not an easy one. After fleeing a violent partner, Martinez and her two daughters spent time in women's shelters before finding stability in Irvine. She has remained a stalwart proponent of the Irvine community ever since.

“I’ve been living in this district for 21 years,” said Martinez. “My daughters went from kindergarten through high school here, and now my granddaughter attends the same elementary school they did. I have a lot invested in this community.”

Martinez's personal experiences have shaped her commitment to affordable housing and community engagement. She arrived in Irvine with a Section 8 housing voucher, which allowed her to afford a home in the city.

“Even back then, it was expensive,” recalled Martinez. “And for an undocumented person with nothing, it was like a dream come true.”

After becoming an American citizen, Martinez pursued higher education, earning a bachelor's degree in public relations from Cal State Fullerton in 2016. Her focus turned to government efficiency after witnessing how public health messaging during the COVID-19 pandemic failed to reach minority communities.

“So many more lives could have been saved if there had been more investment in translating materials into Spanish, Vietnamese, and other languages,” Martinez said.

2022 was a pivotal year for Martinez. She obtained a master's degree in public administration from USC (a program she began in 2021). Martinez also launched Prisma Communications, a public relations consulting firm she still runs. Additionally, Martinez applied for an at-large position on Irvine’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, where she worked to ensure that historically excluded communities have a voice in local government. She remained on the committee until February of this year.

“People ask why I’m running now, and first, it’s because when I was undocumented I couldn’t participate,” explained Martinez. “It was frustrating to not be able to help my community. I was also a single mom, raising children, going back to school, and rebuilding my life. People told me, ‘Betty, you’re Latina, and you live in a city where Latinos are not the majority. You don’t stand a chance.’ I heard that for years.”

Now that Martinez is running for office, she says she has realized that she is over qualified. She cites her communications and public administration degrees with preparing her for the challenges of a role on the city council. If Martinez is elected to represent District 5, she has several goals for bettering the lives of her constituents.

“My key issue is affordable housing,” said Martinez, who supports Mayor Larry Agran’s initiative to convert existing units into affordable housing but acknowledges that further action is needed. “It’s a great idea, though not a complete solution, because the need is greater.”

Martinez also highlighted District 5’s aging infrastructure as a pressing issue.

“My granddaughter’s school looks exactly as it did 15 years ago,” said Martinez, who expressed dismay that while billions have been invested in the Great Park, older neighborhoods have seen little improvement. “Look at Bill Barber Park. It used to have a water fountain. The water fountain is still there, but there’s no water.”

Public transportation is another key focus for Martinez, particularly for seniors and low-income families. She champions the move to expand Irvine Connect’s routes and feels that teenagers will get into fewer car accidents during the summertime if they can use iConnect as an alternative.

Finally, transparency and accessibility are central to how Martinez plans to govern.

“I want to be accessible, whether through open meetings or coffee chats,” she said. “I want people to ask tough questions, and I’ll answer them honestly.”

Her experience on Irvine’s DEI Committee has reinforced her belief in holding government agencies accountable.

“When OCPA launched, their communications weren’t transparent,” Martinez said. “Their opt-out letters looked like junk mail, and they only had English and Spanish translations, even though Spanish isn’t the most spoken second language in Irvine.”

As election day approaches, Martinez remains committed to listening to the concerns of District 5 residents and ensuring their voices are heard.

“I know I won’t make everyone happy, and that’s tough because I like making people happy,” she admitted. “People tell me I’m too nice, but I know hard decisions will come.”

Martinez emphasized the importance of maintaining an open mind and actively listening to the perspectives of stakeholders and community members.

“I believe in listening to everyone,” said Martinez. “Some issues I thought I had a clear stance on have changed after speaking with the community. I want to meet with people, understand their perspectives, and balance their input with my constituents’ needs.”

Find more District 5 Special Election coverage here.