after the 1971 legislative session, the oregon house of representative was re-districted and martin's home in lake oswego became part of district 24. the new district represented much of the area previously covered by district 7. in 1972, he ran for the house seat in district 24, winning with 55 percent of the district's vote. following his election, he served in the regular legislature session from january through july 1973 and then a special legislative session from mid-january through mid-february 1974.