GoodParty.org candidate

O'Brian Martin

Orange County School Board - District 4

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About the Office

Local school board members are responsible for overseeing school operations within the district, typically including employment decisions regarding a district superintendent.

Term Length

4 years

Election Date

Nov 4, 2025

About Me

Party

Independent

Occupation

Entrepreneur

Fun Fact

Outside of public service, O’Brian is passionate about bringing people together through creativity and community events. O'Brian was the International Executive President of DECA, Inc., a 300,000 member student CTE organization. He founded Phantom Field, a haunted attraction in Orange County that has grown into a seasonal tradition and fundraiser for local students. It’s a fun way he combines his love for entertainment, teamwork, and giving back — and many families in the community look forward to it every year.

Past Experience

{"skills":"O’Brian Martin brings a skill set tailored to the needs of Orange County families. He has strong leadership skills, demonstrated through years of stepping up to serve in positions of trust and responsibility. From founding the Student Representative role on the School Board to leading business operations as a Chief Operating Officer, O’Brian has shown he can listen, analyze, and act in ways that make a difference. His advocacy and leadership in education highlight his ability to ensure that Students Matter is the foundation of every decision. He is also skilled in financial and organizational management. O’Brian knows how to build and oversee budgets, manage resources responsibly, and ensure that every dollar is used wisely — a direct benefit for taxpayers and families who expect efficiency and accountability in their schools. His experience hiring, training, and retaining staff equips him to support teachers and strengthen Orange County’s ability to recruit and keep top talent. These skills connect directly to his belief that our schools must compete to win, ensuring students graduate prepared for careers, college, and community leadership. Just as importantly, O’Brian’s interpersonal skills allow him to unite people behind a shared vision. He values communication, consensus-building, and collaboration with families. His OC Family Plan reflects this skillset by focusing on strengthening the relationship between parents, educators, and schools so that every child is supported inside and outside the classroom. With skills in leadership, management, and community-building, O’Brian is prepared to represent District 4 with integrity and action.","achievements":"O’Brian’s achievements reflect his deep commitment to putting students and families first. His most enduring accomplishment was establishing the Student Representative to the School Board position, which he then held as the inaugural representative. This achievement ensures that students in Orange County continue to have a direct voice in shaping their education, proving O’Brian’s belief that Students Matter isn’t just a slogan, but a practice. He has also shown a record of achievements that connect the community to its schools. Through ventures like Phantom Field and PhantomFest, O’Brian has helped raise funds for Orange County Public Schools and student programs like DECA. These efforts brought families together while generating financial support for students — a perfect example of his commitment to the OC Family Plan, which emphasizes strong ties between schools and families working as partners. His achievements also extend into his professional and public service life. In law enforcement, he built trust and accountability in protecting the community. As a business leader, he successfully managed teams, balanced budgets, and oversaw large-scale projects. Each of these achievements demonstrates his ability to deliver results and to set high standards so that Orange County can compete to win in preparing students for the future.","responsibility":"O’Brian Martin’s connection to the Orange County School Board began early, when he recognized that students didn’t have a formal voice in shaping policies that directly affected them. He worked to create and then serve as the first-ever Student Representative to the School Board, a role that became a lasting part of how the district does business. As a representative, his responsibility was to carry the voices of his peers into board discussions, share their concerns, and ensure decisions reflected the principle that Students Matter. He showed up consistently, listened deeply, and made sure the voices of District 4 students were heard and respected at the table. Beyond this pioneering role, O’Brian has carried responsibilities that mirror those of a school board member. His background in law enforcement gave him direct responsibility for protecting and serving the community, working under pressure, and building trust through accountability. Later, as Chief Operating Officer of The Premier Companies, O’Brian was responsible for managing budgets, hiring staff, ensuring compliance with rules, and setting standards for performance — skills that translate directly into school board responsibilities like budget oversight, staff support, and accountability to taxpayers. In each of these roles, he has embraced the idea that Orange County schools should compete to win by setting high expectations and delivering real results for families."}

My Top Issues

Invest in local public education

O’Brian Martin believes that investing in Orange County’s public schools is an investment in the community’s future. He is committed to ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely to strengthen classrooms, support teachers, and give every student the resources they need to succeed.

Career and Technical Education

O’Brian Martin strongly supports expanding Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities so Orange County students graduate with real-world skills and workplace certifications. He believes CTE programs open doors to good-paying jobs, strengthen the local workforce, and give students more pathways to succeed after high school.

Remove politics from schools

O’Brian Martin believes our classrooms should focus on educating students, not dividing communities with partisan politics. He is committed to keeping political agendas out of schools so families, teachers, and students can work together on what truly matters — learning and achievement.

Who I'm Running Against

Tina Whittington (Republican Party)

Executive Vice President of Students for Life of America, an anti-abortion group.
 

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