Isaiah Martin, a 27-year-old Democrat from Houston, is campaigning to bring a new generation of leadership to Texas’s 18th Congressional District. A University of Houston graduate, Martin has gained recognition for his civic engagement and efforts to mobilize youth participation in elections. Despite not having held public office, he aims to address the everyday challenges of working families and restore public trust in politics.

In a recent interview with Houston Style Magazine, Martin outlined a platform centered on transparency and accessibility in government. He argues that entrenched political interests and corporate donors have too much influence in Washington and vows to prioritize the voices of constituents over special interests. His policy agenda includes expanding access to affordable healthcare, investing in education and job training, and supporting small businesses. Martin says he wants to create opportunities for economic growth within the district—particularly for underserved neighborhoods—through federal investment and local partnerships.

Public safety and social justice are also key components of his platform. Martin advocates for improved community–police relations, accountability in law enforcement, and increased investment in programs that strengthen neighborhoods. He has also pointed to the need for modern infrastructure, such as broadband internet expansion and transportation upgrades, to ensure equitable access to resources across the district.

Despite his strong online following and significant fundraising success, Martin has faced growing scrutiny in recent weeks, particularly over his claim of having served as a Senior Advisor to the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. Critics, including former staffers, dispute this, saying he was never officially employed in that capacity. Martin defended his claim, stating Jackson Lee personally appointed him as a senior advisor. Lillie Coney, Jackson Lee’s former chief of staff, supported Martin, affirming his close advisory role. However, other former staff, like Remmington Belford, challenged this narrative, insisting Martin's role was unofficial and not recorded in staff designations or campaign finance reports.

Houston Style Magazine reached out to others who worked closely with the late Congresswoman for more than 30 years. They expressed anger over Martin’s claims and said the assertions were not true. Most requested anonymity, citing the politically sensitive climate, and emphasized that their priority is ensuring Democratic success in upcoming elections rather than disputing Martin publicly.

When asked how he plans to implement many of his proposed ideas or address the district’s most pressing issues, including flooding, infrastructure inequality, and environmental hazards, Martin offered no direct answers. He did note that he would work with the Environmental Protection Agency and Texas Southern University to tackle pollution in neighborhoods near the Houston Ship Channel and pledged to support minority-owned small businesses through federal funding opportunities.

[Editorial Note]
After the initial publication of this article, Isaiah Martin’s campaign contacted Houston Style Magazine regarding questions about how he plans to address the district’s most pressing issues, including flooding, infrastructure, and environmental injustice. As stated in the original reporting, Martin did not provide a clear response to those questions at the time of the interview. The magazine offered to include a statement if Martin wished to clarify his position. The campaign provided the following statement:

Statement from Isaiah Martin:
In my first week in office I will call a meeting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to get a public status update on the Ike Dike—a long overdue project that Congress approved funding for more than 20 years ago but has never been brought to fruition. I will also work directly with Harris County Precinct One to submit new federal grant applications for neighborhood-by-neighborhood retention and detention ponds, using funds unlocked in the bipartisan infrastructure bill—so that flood protection is not uneven and dependent on your ZIP code.

On environmental issues, I will work with other southern congress-members, particularly those in cancer alley, to file a bill for the federal government to compensate those who have been affected by the long-term environmental injustice by polluters. This includes permanent guaranteed health care for life, college funds for those affected, and full relocation costs. People are sick of talk and meetings—they want action.

Martin also pointed to his near-nightly TikTok town halls as a sign of transparency, saying voters can engage with him directly online. His ability to break down policy issues in an engaging and accessible way on the platform has been widely noted, showcasing a social media talent that many of his opponents lack.

When asked what he would do with his campaign funds if not elected, Martin was blunt: “I don’t think about losing.”