Endorsements

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Chairman Nathan Fletcher, San Diego County Board of Supervisors

"Undersheriff Martinez has the experience to lead the department and the leadership to drive needed change. I have worked closely with her over the last year on behavioral health treatment in our jails and appreciate her taking the department in a fundamentally new direction. Her advocacy for county staffing for substance abuse and mental health including medication for addiction treatment are laying the groundwork for significant progress. I believe she will serve our county well as Sheriff and she has my full support."

Vice Chairwoman Nora Vargas, San Diego County Board of Supervisors

“Nationally and at home we are seeing a movement working to reimagining how law enforcement interacts with our communities. The moment calls for a Sheriff that will work to ensure the safety of our citizens and individuals in our charge. I am excited that a candidate of Kelly’s caliber is running to be our next Sheriff. As Undersheriff, Kelly is already working hard to earn the trust of our community, focusing on making the Sheriff’s Department more transparent and ensuring that all communities are served fairly and equitably. She is coordinating with county partners to reduce the impact of law enforcement response on those in crisis in the formation of the first Mobile Crisis Response Teams.  She implemented the Sheriff's first Homeless Assistance Resource Team (HART). I am proud to support Kelly Martinez for Sheriff and look forward the community-based Sheriff’s Department she will lead.”

Sheriff Bill Gore, San Diego County Sheriff's Department

"In March of 2021, I appointed Kelly Martinez as Undersheriff which is the second highest position in the Sheriff’s department. In that position she is responsible for the day to day operations of the Department. Immediately prior to that Kelly served as the Assistant Sheriff in charge of the Law Enforcement Services Bureau. In her 36-year career with this department Undersheriff Martinez has held and excelled at every rank and in every position she has held throughout San Diego County. She has been a progressive, innovative, and collaborative leader in all her assignments. Her exceptional interpersonal skills have enhanced communications within the Department as well as within the communities we serve. I am convinced Undersheriff Martinez is by far the most qualified person to become San Diego's next Sheriff. For that reason, I am honored to give her my wholehearted support and endorsement."

California Senate President pro tempore Toni G. Atkins, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, and California Senator Christine Kehoe (ret.)

"Kelly Martinez is the best choice for Sheriff of San Diego County.  She is a proven leader with a long history of collaboration and cooperation working in partnership with community leaders.  It's more important than ever for law enforcement leaders to embrace change and effectively navigate the priorities of keeping our communities safe while ensuring equitable treatment of all residents. Kelly Martinez is the right person for the job.  As Undersheriff Kelly is already creating more transparency with the Sheriff's Department and the communities it serves.  We look forward to working with Kelly to keep all communities safe and foster fair and equal justice throughout San Diego County."

California Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez

"Ms. Martinez has the experience to do the job and the leadership to take the department where it needs to go in these changing times. I’m especially excited about the prospects of having the first woman Sheriff in San Diego County history.”

Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, San Diego City Council

"As the first female Undersheriff in the history of the San Diego Sheriff's Department, Kelly Martinez is a role model in law enforcement. I am confident we can count on her to implement needed changes in the Sheriff's Department, such as making our jails safer, providing greater transparency to the public, and utilizing alternatives to a law enforcement response for people in crisis." 

Former US Attorney Bob Brewer, Southern District of California

"Kelly Martinez is the best choice to protect San Diego County from the increasing crime rate and to ethically lead the Sheriff's Department during these challenging times."

Former Mayor Ernie Cowan, City of Escondido

"As a former Mayor of Escondido and a long time volunteer with the Sheriff's Department, I have had the pleasure of working with every Sheriff since 1966. As our next Sheriff, Kelly Martinez will bring decades of experience to the job as well as a keen understanding of what is needed to serve the people of San Diego County and to continue the legacy of professionalism that our law enforcement professionals have established. Her experience and her perspective represent the new era of law enforcement that will be sensitive to and inclusive of every segment of our community. I am happy to endorse Kelly Martinez for Sheriff, 2022."

Neighborhood Market Association

"Family-Owned businesses and our local communities need the support of strong law enforcement partners. Undersheriff Kelly Martinez has the experience and vision to ensure our communities stay safe. The Neighborhood Market Association proudly endorses Kelly Martinez for Sheriff."

Chairman Darrin Fulton, National Latino Peace Officers Association - Advocacy

"The National Latino Peace Officers Association - Advocacy supports Kelly Martinez because her vision is consistent with the type of leader our county needs, especially with the current state of the law enforcement profession."

San Diego County Chiefs' and Sheriff's Association

"On behalf of the San Diego County Chiefs’ and Sheriff’s Association, we proudly endorse Kelly Martinez for Sheriff. Kelly is a proven leader with over 36 years of law enforcement experience and is devoted to providing the highest level of public safety to our region. Kelly is committed to 21st Century policing and partnering with the community to improve the policing profession. She is open, transparent and is always focused on keeping San Diego County safe."

President David Oyos, Chula Vista Police Officers Association

"The Chula Vista Police Officers Association is proud to endorse Undersheriff Kelly Martinez for Sheriff. Undersheriff Martinez exemplifies the integrity and values needed for the position, and we believe her leadership will promote a culture of integrity and collaboration with the community we all serve.” 

President Jim Koerber, San Diegans Against Crime

"With the increase in violent crime putting San Diegans at risk, it's more important than ever that we have an experienced, qualified, and steady hand at the top of the Sheriff's Department. Kelly Martinez will be an effective leader in the fight against violent crime, and we know she'll work tirelessly to keep our neighborhoods safe."

President Ben Barlow, San Diego Deputy District Attorneys Association

"San Diego County Prosecutors rely on a strong partnership with local law enforcement to ensure we can deliver justice on behalf of crime victims. We know that Kelly Martinez is the experienced and qualified candidate we need running the Sheriff's Department, and we look forward to a partnership that will continue working together to protect San Diego communities."

President Bryan Zmijewski, San Diego District Attorney Investigator's Association

"The San Diego District Attorney Investigators Association is proud to endorse Kelly Martinez for Sheriff. Kelly brings an experience to this position that has not been seen for years. As a career county and deputy sheriff employee, she understands our community along with our needs. We believe Kelly is a problem solver and will lead the department in the right direction for the entire community of San Diego."