Steve is originally from Colorado, and has lived in Henderson County for almost 20 years. He is a husband and a father. He plays trumpet for the orchestras of Biltmore Church and First Baptist Church of Hendersonville.

Steve is a retired anatomical and surgical pathology consultant with 35 years of experience, having worked across the United States and in several foreign countries. His career includes practice and teaching at institutions such as Yale, Sloan-Kettering, UCLA, and the Cleveland Clinic. Additionally, he is a professional musician who plays trumpet for several jazz bands.

Steve Martinez's campaign for state representative is his first run for public office.

As of June 14, 2024, Steve Martinez’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Economy

Energy & the Environment

Candidate website

Believes healthcare is negatively impacted by corporate influence prioritizing profits over people's wellbeing. Plans to address issues such as hospital closures, housing, education, and development affecting the economy.

Believes healthcare is negatively impacted by corporate influence prioritizing profits over people's wellbeing, and plans to address issues such as hospital closures, housing, education, and development affecting the economy.

Believes in protecting "women’s healthcare and reproductive rights." Supports access to abortion and comprehensive healthcare services for women.

Believes in protecting "women’s healthcare and reproductive rights," and supports access to abortion and comprehensive healthcare services for women.

Believes the "extremist-controlled legislature isn’t working for the people" by voting against Medicaid expansion. Plans to base votes on "thoughtful examination of facts" and represent all constituents.

Believes the "extremist-controlled legislature isn’t working for the people" by voting against Medicaid expansion, and plans to base votes on "thoughtful examination of facts" and represent all constituents.

- Believes healthcare is negatively impacted by corporate influence prioritizing profits over people's wellbeing, and plans to address issues such as hospital closures, housing, education, and development affecting the economy.
- Believes in protecting "women’s healthcare and reproductive rights," and supports access to abortion and comprehensive healthcare services for women.
- Believes the "extremist-controlled legislature isn’t working for the people" by voting against Medicaid expansion, and plans to base votes on "thoughtful examination of facts" and represent all constituents.

Healthcare

Believes voters need more choice and transparency in elections. Opposes gerrymandering that allows "a few extremists" to choose their voters.

Believes voters need more choice and transparency in elections, and opposes gerrymandering that allows "a few extremists" to choose their voters.

Believes voters deserve a "true choice" and opposes uncontested races, lack of transparency, and gerrymandering. Said, "It’s not a democracy if voters don’t have a choice."

Believes voters deserve a "true choice" and opposes uncontested races, lack of transparency, and gerrymandering, saying, "It’s not a democracy if voters don’t have a choice."

Believes voters deserve real representation and opposes uncontested races decided by "hyperpartisan politicians making deals behind closed doors."

- Believes voters need more choice and transparency in elections, and opposes gerrymandering that allows "a few extremists" to choose their voters.
- Believes voters deserve a "true choice" and opposes uncontested races, lack of transparency, and gerrymandering, saying, "It’s not a democracy if voters don’t have a choice."
- Believes voters deserve real representation and opposes uncontested races decided by "hyperpartisan politicians making deals behind closed doors."

Voting & Elections

Supports "common sense gun laws and background checks."

- Supports "common sense gun laws and background checks."

Public Safety

Education

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Steve Martinez

LinkedIn

Jennifer is a lifelong resident of Henderson County. She is a wife and mother. Jennifer graduated from East Henderson High School, then earned her associate's degree in business administration, banking & finance from Blue Ridge Community College. She is the vice president of the Hendersonville Women's Club and president of the Hendersonville Lions Club. She has also held the position of treasurer for the Mortgage Bankers Association of Western North Carolina.

Jennifer is a small business owner with over 20 years of experience in mortgage banking. She is currently a mortgage loan officer for ALCOVA Mortgage.

North Carolina General Assembly, Jennifer Balkcom

Jennifer Capps Balkcom is currently a state representative in District 117. She was elected in 2022 and is serving her first term.

Supports eliminating the state income tax and reducing costly regulations on small businesses.

- Supports eliminating the state income tax and reducing costly regulations on small businesses.

As of June 14, 2024, Jennifer Capps Balkcom’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes in passionately defending the rights of the unborn and the elderly.

Believes in defending gun rights and opposes any concessions to the "radical left."

- Believes in defending gun rights and opposes any concessions to the "radical left."

Supports parental rights, school choice, and homeschooling; opposes "CRT."

Supports parental rights, school choice, and homeschooling, and opposes "CRT."

- Supports parental rights, school choice, and homeschooling, and opposes "CRT."

Believes "criminal illegal aliens must serve their full sentences then be deported."

- Believes "criminal illegal aliens must serve their full sentences then be deported."

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Jennifer Capps Balkcom

- Your State Representative participates in the legislative process at the state level. They are one of 129 members of the North Carolina House of Representatives. The North Carolina House of Representatives is the lower house of the North Carolina General Assembly (the state's lawmaking body).
- Your State Representative drafts laws, approves budgets, has oversight of the state executive branch, and debates and votes on proposed laws.
- In addition to drafting and voting on bills, your State Representative can serve on committees. This is important because many bills can be stalled in committee, preventing them making it to a vote.
- Your State Representative is responsible for representing your interests. They also are responsible for helping you navigate the state's services and bringing back resources to your district.
- State Representatives are elected to a 2-year term. There is no term limit.

Your representative and state lawmaker in North Carolina House of Representatives