Cheektowaga Democratic Party Chair Lynn Dearmyer announced tonight that Rachel Martinez will be the party’s Town Council candidate in the Tuesday, Nov. 3 general election.
Martinez, a social worker who has lived in Cheektowaga 10 years, was endorsed by the Erie County Democratic Party’s executive committee Wednesday following a recommendation by the town committee.
She will seek to fill the vacancy created by the recent resignation of former Council member Stephen Nowicki. The winner of the fall election will complete Nowicki’s term, which ends December 31, 2027.
“As a proud resident of Cheektowaga, working mother, and active, lifelong Democrat, I am grateful for this opportunity, and I look forward to speaking to voters directly about my vision for making our town an even better place to live and raise a family,” Martinez said. “I thank the town committee and the members of ECDC’s
executive committee for putting their trust and confidence in me.”
“On a daily basis, I see first-hand the challenges families and individuals face, often because of economic and other forces beyond their control,” she said. “Helping them meet those challenges is my job and calling, and I believe that will be a strong foundation for the work I hope to do on the Town Council.”
“Our committee interviewed seven potential candidates in an open process, and a consensus quickly emerged in support of Rachel,” Dearmyer said.
“We were impressed not only by her professional background, but also by the clear passion she brings to the table, as well as her commitment to being part of a town government that is open, transparent, and that always puts people ahead of politics.”
Martinez, a native of Lancaster, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Social Work at Nazareth College in Rochester, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She and her husband, Rob, have a six-year-old son.
