About Ethan

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Ethan Martez is a public servant, organizer, and advocate for a government that listens. He’s running for Charter Review Commissioner because he believes Snohomish County deserves a Charter that works for everyone, not just the powerful few. From city planning to campus safety to state-level legislation, Ethan has dedicated himself to making public institutions more transparent, equitable, and responsive to the people they serve.

Ethan’s journey into public service began at a young age when he started volunteering on local campaigns in his hometown of Snohomish. He knocked on doors, made phone calls, and learned early on that democracy only works when people are involved and informed. Over the years, he took on more responsibility, helping manage campaigns for city council, school board, and the state legislature. Through those experiences, Ethan saw both the promise and the shortcomings of our political systems. He committed himself to being part of the solution.

At Western Washington University, Ethan continued that commitment by stepping into leadership roles that bridged students with decision-makers. He served as Chair of the Fairhaven Residential Planning Board, where he worked with administrators and residents to improve housing conditions and advocate for student needs in long-term planning decisions. He also became involved in campus public safety through the Green Coat program, where he helped identify safety hazards and support students navigating difficult situations.

Ethan’s work has extended beyond campus. He served on the City of Snohomish’s Midtown Planning Task Force, helping shape the city’s approach to growth and zoning in a way that reflected community values. His focus was always on creating inclusive and sustainable development that balanced economic opportunity with livability. That experience taught him how important it is for residents to have a voice in shaping their communities. He also saw how easily that voices can be overlooked if the right systems aren’t in place.

Ethan’s desire to improve those systems led him to the Washington State Senate, where he served as a legislative staffer. There, he helped analyze policy proposals, meet with constituents, and support the legislative process firsthand. He worked on issues ranging from international trade to education access and saw how good governance requires not only sound policy but also public accountability and open communication.

In addition to his government work, Ethan has been a strong advocate for workers’ rights. As a union organizer with Western Academic Workers United, he helped lead efforts to unionize operational student employees and fight for better pay, job security, and workplace protections. His work with the union is grounded in a belief that people deserve a voice in the institutions that affect their daily lives, whether in a classroom, a city council meeting, or the workplace.

Throughout every position he’s held, Ethan has shown that he is not afraid to ask hard questions, challenge broken systems, or stand up for what is right. He believes that the County Charter should reflect 21st-century realities, not outdated language or structures that limit public input and transparency. That means supporting reforms like campaign finance limits, expanding the County Council for better representation, requiring more rural community engagement, and modernizing the Charter’s language to be clearer and more accessible to the public.

Ethan is not running to maintain the status quo. He’s running to make the Charter a tool for accountability, fairness, and civic empowerment. He understands that most people don’t have time to read every line of government code, but they should still be able to trust that those systems are working for them. Ethan’s goal is to help build that trust by making the Charter simpler, more democratic, and more grounded in the values of Snohomish County’s residents.

When you elect Ethan Martez to the Charter Review Commission, you are choosing a leader who listens, who works hard, and who has the courage to push for meaningful reform. His record shows not just experience, but principle. Not just ideas, but action. Snohomish County deserves a Charter that reflects its people. Ethan is ready to help make that happen.