Sandragrace Martinez
Democratic Candidate for Commissioner of the General Land Office
Martinez/Photo by Campaign
Question: What is your age?
Answer: 48
Q: What is your educational background? Please list any degrees or certificates earned and any institutions attended.
A: *Graduate from The University of Texas at San Antonio earning a B.A. in Political Science. *Gregory Luna Fellow Scholarship recipient.
*Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX.
*Clinical Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor
Q: What is your occupation?
A: Licensed Professional Counselor
Q: If you are a business owner, please list the business or businesses that you own. (If this question is not applicable, please note that below.)
A: Psychosomatic Institute of San Antonio & Associates; Twisted Puerta Fine Art Gallery and Gift Shop; Mental Wellness Connections Inc.
Q: Please list any civic boards or commissions (non-profit, government, union, political, etc.) on which you have served as a board member or equivalent.
A: *Vice Chair Young Tejano Democrats Bexar County
*Central Texas Family Violence Task Force Bell County
*Chair of Bexar County Child Welfare Board’s Children’s Committee and Co-Chair of Legislative Affairs
*Bexar County Sheriff’s Office Training Academy Advisory Board created by Sherriff Javier Salazar.
Q: Have you previously held or do you currently hold any elected office? If so, what office(s)?
A: N/A
Q: If your campaign has any online campaign resources where voters can learn more about you, such as social media accounts or a website, please list them below.
www.facebook.com/sandragrace4texans
Q: Why did you decide to run for this office in 2022?
A: This office has the potential to be much more as the previous administration has proven it to be. I wish to expand on those accomplishments and have the desire to integrate mental health components. Most notably it has been disconcerting knowing how board members under GLO lack diversity. I plan to change that.
My academic background has engrained System's Theory in my approach to critical thinking and problem solving. This skill set is essential in running a successful organization and fostering healthy relationships between this government agency and Texans.
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities in office?
A: 1) Assessing strong logistical systems for Disaster relief, response, and recovery. A natural disaster in our state is inevitable, so it's important that we maintain good relationships with all local governments, organizations, and non-profits, and community leaders, so that important decisions can be made with the confidence to minimize the loss of life.
2)The Texas Coastal Resiliency Master Plan will have new data to review in 2023. It has a recommendation of 123 projects on Tier 1, with only 23 of those fully funded, and 77 of them underway. It will be important to assess those numbers and look at the data, so we can see what's working, and we require other alternatives to yield better results. The health of our coastline is vital for our economy, so what we do to protect it will be vital.
3) Looking into how we can better serve our Veteran's benefits and not just give them options for health care and financial choices, but that we put the work in to give them the best option always. There are an array of top priorities that are important to me, I only list these, as they will require many hours to achieve a strong comprehensive strategy to be effective.
Q: What is an issue you believe has gone overlooked in your race and how will you address it if elected?
A: The border wall.
Q: Why are you the best candidate for voters to support for this position?
A: My resume shows a comprehensive and strong history for the requirements to preform the duties of Texas Land Commissioner competently. My degrees, certifications, and clinical qualifications, will bring an extra added layer to managing effectively and collaboratively.
I am a graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio earning a B.A. in Political Science. I was one of twelve students to receive the first coveted Gregory Luna Fellow Scholarship award, which is still a huge source of pride for me.
In 2007 I earned a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX.
I worked several years in the trenches of State Agency’s aimed at making our community a safer place, especially for children. I’ve been a Texas Senate Legislative Aide, a Texas Department of Criminal Justice Parole Officer, and investigator with The Department of Family and Protective Services, where I learned the complexities of law and their effects on the public.
I am well versed on how the appropriations and legislative bills can significantly impact the lives of individuals, and how the smallest ‘tweaks’ in statutes can have major and significant impacts on a community.
I attained my state licensure status in 2012, as a Licensed Professional Counselor with the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council.
My experience also includes working for non-profits, private psychiatric acute care hospitals, and I’m currently working for myself in my private practice.
Today, I am serving as the Chair of Bexar County Child Welfare Board’s CHILDREN’s COMMITTEE and Co-Chair of their LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS. I also have the honor for serving on The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office Training Academy Advisory Board created by Sherriff Javier Salazar.
My experience and expertise in trauma informed care, crisis management, my in-depth understanding of the legislative process, and the desire for educating my community, is a passion that has equipped me with the necessary skills to confidently enter and run for the position of Texas Land Commissioner.
My skills and passion for education, community service, and the respect for outdoors lay the foundation for my successful leadership as a commissioner.
I believe the increase investment in public education, our veterans, renewable energy, and disaster preparedness championed by the current boards should continue. A mental wellness component is absolutely necessary moving forward in these General Land Office facets.