Jim Martin was born February 27, 1943 to Isaac Newton Martin and Alice Massey Martin. He has lived in the Pelham area all of his life. He attended Pelham Elementary School (where the Pelham City Hall is currently today), Helena Junior High and Thompson High School.

Jim is married to Sandra Johnson Martin, his wife of 40+ years. Sandra is employed at Dan Brantley Electric Company in Pelham. They have two children, a son Scott and a daughter, Kim; along with one grandson, Seth.

Jim is an active member of Oak Mountain Baptist Church, where he serves as a deacon, as well as seats on the Building Committee, Grounds Committee, and Cemetary Committee. Jim has worked in the building industry for 32 years with his cousin Roy Martin, owner of Roy Martin Construction. Jim still holds a State Builders License.

Socially, Jim is a member of two prominent organizations in the area: The Shelby County Historical Society and the Cahaba-Coosa Chapter of the Alabama Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.

In his spare time, Jim enjoys working in his yard, gardening, visiting the sick and fishing. He also enjoys watching both high-school and college baseball and football.

While Jim is a very social and active citizen, he also believes that the City of Pelham deserves a leader who can guide the city into the year 2008 and beyond. He believes that he is that man, and he encourages you to listen to or read his platform so that you can make the most educated vote possible.