Giselle Martinez Announces Bid For Re-election

NEWBURGH – City of Newburgh Ward 1 Counilwoman Giselle Martinez kicked-off her re-election campaign on Sunday, January 5.

“Here is the reality. We are entering into a very uncertain time. Every single one of us in this room has some level of concern about what’s to come… we don’t know what it will look like, but we know it will be hard. But I can tell you one thing that all of us should know, and do know for certain, is that we have a leader and a fighter, and someone who has our communities back in Giselle Martinez.

“I am 100% unequivocally, unapologetically supporting her in her re-election,” said Orange County Legislator Genesis Ramos. The two ran together as first time candidates in 2021. “We have fought together for this community, we have laughed together for this community, we have cried together for this community,” said Ramos.

Martinez, in addressing those gathered, spoke of her life story, particularly of how her family came to Newburgh in the late 1990s and settled in the East End. The oldest of three, Martinez graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 2016 and continued her education at Mount Saint Mary College, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree before completing a master’s degree at Marist College.

Her early work experience includes the Boys and Girls Club on Liberty Street, as well as interning with former U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney and N.Y. State Senator Jessica Ramos, before landing at N.Y. State Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson’s office where she was a constituent liaison for several years.

Four years ago Martinez asked voters to trust her, when she was 22. They responded by electing her to the city council, becoming the youngest person ever elected. Now she lists her many accomplishments that include: the installation of a splash pad in the Tyrone Crabb Park; several roads repaved, not only in her ward, but throughout the city; and getting the city’s finances back on track. She has also championed for many other projects in the city, including the Delano-Hitch pool and aquatic center, water line replacement, as well as infrastructure and public safety. “Over the past three years we have been able to decline shooting incidents by 39%. We have also been able to decline property crime by 23%,” Martinez said.

“These past couple of years have been the greatest honor. To serve and be here with you guys… I don’t regret a single thing. I will fight hard to get back in office to continue the work we have been doing,” she said.

“Everyone of you have played a roll in my win last time and I hope you will join me in this run again,” Martinez concluded.
Photo Gallery