He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1980 and served from January 3, 1981, to January 3, 1993. He was succeeded by John M. McHugh. Due to redistricting which took effect after the 1992 elections, the geographical area Martin represented was renumbered, and McHugh took office as the representative from the 24th district of New York. Martin did not run in the 1992 election.
While in Congress, he was a member of the House Armed Services Committee, where he worked to shape national security policy in the final years of the Cold War. Martin was the primary sponsor of one successfully enacted bill in 1990 allowing the Secretary of the Air Force to purchase housing for Air Force members at the Pease Air Force Base.[2] Overall, he introduced 6 bills.[3]
Later career
After Congress, he taught at the Naval War College from 1993 to 1994, and subsequently founded the government relations firm of Martin, Fisher, and Thompson in Washington.
Private life
He married twice, first to DeeAnn Hedlund with whom he had three daughters, then to Dana McGee.
Death
He resided in Hedgesville, West Virginia, where he died November 20, 2012, from cancer, aged 68. He is interred in Arlington National Cemetery.[4]
