Joey Martinez shakes former Burien City Councilmember Gordon Shaw’s hand at a 2012 B-Town Blog Candidate Forum. Photo by Scott Schaefer.

Joey Martinez, who unsuccessfully ran for Burien City Council last year – losing against Gordon Shaw and Bob Edgar in the primary – appears to be the first to announce that he will be running for a seat in 2013.

“Just announced that I am running for Burien City Council @ 33rd district dems!” Martinez said on his Facebook page ^[1] Monday night, Feb. 18. (Martinez has since corrected this to say that he actually announced at the 34th Dems meeting Feb. 13).

Martinez works for Seattle City Light, and is also a member of the Burien Planning Commission, with his term expiring in March 2016.

When he ran last year, he originally stood against annexation of North Highline, but later changed his mind.

What’s his platform for 2013?

“The exact messaging is still being worked on BUT the platform revolves around family, community, and especially the kids,” Martinez added via Facebook. “I believe that if we can set up the kids to succeed in life We’ll all be in a better place.”

The deadline to file to run for Burien City Council will be in early June.

The primary election is scheduled for Aug. 6, with the general set for Nov. 5.

As we have done over the last few years, The B-Town Blog plans on sponsoring Candidate Forums, so stay tuned.

Here’s more from Joey’s website ^[2], which was last updated Jan. 15, 2013:

Elect Joey Martinez – The smart choice for Burien’s future
BURIEN CITY COUNCIL
Vote Nov. 5th!

Joey Martinez, Burien ^[3] Planning Commissioner:

• Wants to make Burien a better place for his family and yours.
• Working to Prepare for Burien’s success.
• Striving to fulfill the dreams of our Forefathers while Building for our future.

Ben Franklin once said, “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.” Joey takes this to heart and has engaged all areas of this Great City to find out what we the residents, citizens, and tax payers of Burien want and, more importantly, need to succeed. Since first becoming involved in our community Joey as taken the time visit every neighborhood in Burien and has asked what is important to Burien.

Joey first became involved because of a personal tragedy. While on the way home from work (on public transportation) he got a call that his house was on fire ($200k+ in damage) from his wife – Jackie. After being assured that the kids and dogs were OK he started to work on rebuilding. He, however, immediately realized that he and the family were not alone. Friends, Family, neighbors, co-workers, even total strangers rallied to his families support. The depth and immenseness of this community support was just what his family needed. Joey, however, felt empty. After much soul searching he realized why. He realized that he had been selfish. Not on purpose, he just got caught up in everyday life raising a family.

Thinking back on his life Joey realized that he has been blessed, and lucky. Joey knew what he had to do he had to give back to the community that had given so much to him and his family. However, he didn’t know what to do. It was then that he saw it. A random visit to a local blog (half jokingly) calling for candidates to Burien’s city council. Joey knew he saw his calling. Less than 5 minutes later the wallet was out and fees were paid to run for office. The rest, as they say, is history J

If you’d like to help support Joey please contact his campaign using the email or mailing address on this page. Yard signs will be available if you have a place to put them. You can help build a better Burien by telling your friends about Joey.