Marty Block
Member of the California State Senate
from the 39th district
In office
December 3, 2012 – November 30, 2016
Preceded byChristine Kehoe
Succeeded byToni Atkins
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 78th district
In office
December 1, 2008 – November 30, 2012
Preceded byShirley Horton
Succeeded byToni Atkins
Personal details
Born
Martin Jeffrey Block

(1950-06-28) June 28, 1950
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseCindy
Children2
ResidenceSan Diego, California
Alma materSyracuse University
Indiana University (BA)
DePaul University (JD)
ProfessionProfessor
Attorney

Martin Jeffrey "Marty" Block (born June 28, 1950)[1] is an American politician who served in the California State Senate. A Democrat, he represented Senate District 39, which encompasses central San Diego County including most of the city of San Diego.

Block is the immediate past Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus. Before being elected to the State Senate, he served in the California State Assembly, representing Assembly District 78 from 2008 to 2012. Before his time in the California Legislature, he was a longtime administrator and professor at San Diego State University.

Biography

Block earned his B.A. in political science and education at Indiana University as well as a J.D. degree from DePaul University law school. He began his career as a history teacher in Illinois before coming to San Diego. Block retired after 26 years as a professor, dean and director at San Diego State University where he founded the National Higher Education Law and Policy Institute. He is a five-time recipient of outstanding faculty awards at San Diego State University and was presented with the University Distinguished Service Award upon retirement by SDSU President Stephen Weber.

Block has been president of both the San Diego County Board of Education and the San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees. He has frequently served as Judge Pro Tem of the San Diego Superior Court. Block’s community involvement includes time as commissioner of the San Diego County Commission on Children, Youth and Families. He also founded the San Diego Latino/Jewish Coalition and served as president of the American Jewish Committee, San Diego Chapter. Block was elected as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention four separate times in 1988, 1992, 1996, and 2004.

California State Legislature

Marty Block at the 2014 San Diego LGBT Pride Parade.

State Assembly

In 2008, Block ran as a Democrat to represent California's 78th district in the California State Assembly. He received the endorsement of the San Diego Police Officer’s Association.[2]

In 2008 Block defeated his Republican opponent, John McCann, 92,045 (55.4%) to 74,160 (44.6%).[3] David Glanzer, the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Comic-Con served as Marty Block's Director of Communication for the 2008 campaign and later served as Press Secretary for the Assemblyman.[4]

In 2010 Block defeated Republican Rick L. Powell to win re-election.[5] He completed two terms in the Assembly before leaving his Assembly seat after his successful campaign for the California 39th Senate District.

State Senate

In 2012 Block ran for State Senate in the 39th district. He defeated Republican George Plescia 58.4% to 41.6% in the November general election.[6] He took office on December 3, 2012. He is credited with leadership for a proposal to increase funding for higher education.[7]

In 2016, after being challenged by fellow Democrat Toni Atkins, the outgoing Speaker of the State Assembly, Block chose to not seek a second term.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Assembly Member Marty Block of California
  2. ↑ James B. Gerber, "Block lands endorsement of San Diego Police Officers", PolitickerCA.com, September 18, 2008.
  3. ↑ Bowen, Debra (November 4, 2008). "State Assembly – District 78: Districtwide Results". California General Election: Election Night Results. California Secretary of State. Archived from the original on July 23, 2008. Retrieved November 19, 2008.
  4. ↑ "Election 2008: Issues and Facts versus Attacks". 31 October 2008.
  5. ↑ smartvoter.com
  6. ↑ "39th State Senate District" (PDF). General Election, Tuesday, November 6, 2012. California Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  7. ↑ Mason, Melanie (September 19, 2015). "Democratic clash: Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins to challenge Sen. Marty Block". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  8. ↑ Koseff, Alexei (January 28, 2016). "Marty Block will not seek re-election to California Senate". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
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