in 1962, martin ran as a republican for a seat in the oregon house of representatives. he ran in district 7, one of four seats that represented clackamas county. he got 9,722 votes, but lost to the incumbent democrat. martin ran again in 1964. this time he got over 26,000 votes, but was still unable the unseat the incumbent. that same year, martin was appointed chairman of a volunteer committee chartered to reform lake oswego's city government. the result of that effort was the creation a city manager position to oversee the city's day-to-day business.