Through action and leadership Grier has dedicated himself to his community, his state and his country. He attended the North Carolina public schools throughout his childhood, then paid much of his way through Davidson College with an ROTC scholarship. He then graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law.
Grier, Louise, and Sara
Following law school, Grier went on to use his degree in the service of small businesses and non-profits. He also married fellow North Carolina native Louise Porter Martin and became the proud father of a daughter, Sara Louise, who is now seven.
In the course of his military service Grier graduated from Airborne School (paratrooper), Air Assault School, Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, and the Judge Advocate General’s Graduate Course. After our country was attacked on September 11, 2001 Grier volunteered for active duty, serving with XVIII Airborne Corps at Ft. Bragg, NC and in the war in Afghanistan in 2002-2003.
After two years of active duty, Grier once again answered the call to public service and was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives.
Beyond the legislature Grier currently serves on the board of the NC Center for Voter Education. He served previously on the board of directors of Preservation North Carolina, Camp Oak Hill, and the Afro-American Cultural Center. He is also a former Sunday school teacher at White Memorial Presbyterian Church. In the Army Reserve, he currently serves in an airborne unit at Ft. Bragg and was recently selected for promotion to lieutenant colonel. He, Louise, and Sara have a dog, two cats, and a fish.
We appreciate Martin’s “dedication and support of the veterans of North Carolina and the many veterans related bills you have sponsored. The American Legion appreciates your support of our military personnel and also our veterans and their families.”
-The American Legion Department of North Carolina, 02/23/2008
Martin has provided “outstanding leadership, devoted service and unwavering dedication to build better lives for the disabled veterans and their families of this great state and nation.”
-Disabled American Veterans, Department of North Carolina, 06/15/2007
Sara and Grier the day Grier returned home to Raleigh from Afghanistan
“Grier Martin of Raleigh has shown good instincts: He didn’t take free meals from lobbyists even before ethics reform was enacted, and he declined the $104-a-day living allowance for lawmakers even though he could have claimed it. Martin, a 36-year-old attorney, has been an energetic, imaginative legislator not afraid to break with the partisan status quo.”
-The Raleigh News & Observer, 11/01/2006
Martin shows “a commitment to clean water, safe food, and a better future for North Carolina.”
-Toxic Free NC, 10/21/2006
Martin “did himself proud by not voting for the lottery, and by not going along with Speaker Black’s method of scrubbing the lottery bill of all grace-saving provisions (it was supposed to have no advertising–remember that one?) by sticking an amended version in the House budget. No wonder, then, that Martin was one of the first in the House to distance himself from Black and to call for serious ethics and campaign-finance reforms.”
-The Independent, 10/25/2006
“Heroic: First-term House member Grier Martin, D-Raleigh, who voted against the state budget because of the pro-lottery language in it.”
-The Independent, 08/17/2005
About Grier
Through action and leadership Grier has dedicated himself to his community, his state and his country. He attended the North Carolina public schools throughout his childhood, then paid much of his way through Davidson College with an ROTC scholarship. He then graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law.
Grier, Louise, and Sara
Following law school, Grier went on to use his degree in the service of small businesses and non-profits. He also married fellow North Carolina native Louise Porter Martin and became the proud father of a daughter, Sara Louise, who is now seven.
In the course of his military service Grier graduated from Airborne School (paratrooper), Air Assault School, Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, and the Judge Advocate General’s Graduate Course. After our country was attacked on September 11, 2001 Grier volunteered for active duty, serving with XVIII Airborne Corps at Ft. Bragg, NC and in the war in Afghanistan in 2002-2003.
After two years of active duty, Grier once again answered the call to public service and was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives.
Beyond the legislature Grier currently serves on the board of the NC Center for Voter Education. He served previously on the board of directors of Preservation North Carolina, Camp Oak Hill, and the Afro-American Cultural Center. He is also a former Sunday school teacher at White Memorial Presbyterian Church. In the Army Reserve, he currently serves in an airborne unit at Ft. Bragg and was recently selected for promotion to lieutenant colonel. He, Louise, and Sara have a dog, two cats, and a fish.
What people are saying about Grier
A “leader on ethics reforms”
-The Independent, 10/21/2008
“A straight shooter with an independent voice”
-The Raleigh News & Observer, 10/10/2008
We appreciate Martin’s “dedication and support of the veterans of North Carolina and the many veterans related bills you have sponsored. The American Legion appreciates your support of our military personnel and also our veterans and their families.”
-The American Legion Department of North Carolina, 02/23/2008
Martin has provided “outstanding leadership, devoted service and unwavering dedication to build better lives for the disabled veterans and their families of this great state and nation.”
-Disabled American Veterans, Department of North Carolina, 06/15/2007
Sara and Grier the day Grier returned home to Raleigh from Afghanistan
“Grier Martin of Raleigh has shown good instincts: He didn’t take free meals from lobbyists even before ethics reform was enacted, and he declined the $104-a-day living allowance for lawmakers even though he could have claimed it. Martin, a 36-year-old attorney, has been an energetic, imaginative legislator not afraid to break with the partisan status quo.”
-The Raleigh News & Observer, 11/01/2006
Martin shows “a commitment to clean water, safe food, and a better future for North Carolina.”
-Toxic Free NC, 10/21/2006
Martin “did himself proud by not voting for the lottery, and by not going along with Speaker Black’s method of scrubbing the lottery bill of all grace-saving provisions (it was supposed to have no advertising–remember that one?) by sticking an amended version in the House budget. No wonder, then, that Martin was one of the first in the House to distance himself from Black and to call for serious ethics and campaign-finance reforms.”
-The Independent, 10/25/2006
“Heroic: First-term House member Grier Martin, D-Raleigh, who voted against the state budget because of the pro-lottery language in it.”
-The Independent, 08/17/2005
“A family man who missed his daughter’s early months because he volunteered to fight terror in Afghanistan.”
-The Raleigh News & Observer, 08/09/2005
“Grier Martin is a political bright light with a deep belief in public service.”
-The Independent, 10/20/2004
Honors and Awards
Conservation Council of NC “Defender of the Environment” 2010
National Guard Association of the US “Charles Dick Medal of Merit” 2009 for support of the National Guard
Brain Injury Association of NC “Our Hero Award” 2009
Democracy North Carolina “Sunshine Award” 2009 for campaign finance transparency
Disabled American Veterans, Department of NC “Legislator of the Year” 2007
Pesticide Education Project’s “Legislative Leadership Award” 2006
Conservation Council of NC “Freshman of the Year” 2006
With Army: Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, etc.