Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Ed Martin (Missouri politician)

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Ed Martin (Missouri politician) made an impact.

Edward Robert Martin Jr. is an American conservative activist, politician, and lawyer. He served as the Chair of the Missouri Republican Party from 2013 to 2015. In January 2025, he was appointed by President Donald Trump as the interim United States Attorney for the District of Columbia.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

2005: Appointed Chairman of St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners

In 2005, Ed Martin was appointed by Missouri Governor Matt Blunt as chairman of the St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners.

2005: Represented pharmacists against contraceptive rule

In 2005, while working for Americans United for Life, Ed Martin represented two Illinois pharmacists seeking relief from an administrative rule requiring them to dispense the contraceptive levonorgestrel, known as "Plan B" or the "morning after pill". Martin argued that this violated their religious rights and appeared on Lou Dobbs Tonight to discuss the case. The court sided with Martin and the plaintiffs.

August 2006: Appointed Chief of Staff

In August 2006, Ed Martin was appointed by Missouri Governor Matt Blunt as his chief of staff.

2006: Chief of Staff for Missouri Governor

In 2006, Ed Martin became the chief of staff for Missouri Governor Matt Blunt, a position he held until November 2007.

2006: Represented small business owner selling caskets

In 2006, while doing pro bono work, Ed Martin represented a small business owner selling caskets and funeral supplies at discounted prices. He argued against a Missouri law requiring casket vendors to have a funeral director's license. Eventually, the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors sided with the small business owner.

November 2007: End of term as chief of staff

In November 2007, Ed Martin's tenure as chief of staff for Missouri Governor Matt Blunt ended.

February 2008: Appointed to Missouri State Parks Advisory Board

In February 2008, Governor Matt Blunt appointed Ed Martin as a member of the Missouri State Parks Advisory Board, a position he held until April 2011.

2008: Founded American Issues Project

In 2008, Ed Martin founded the American Issues Project, which ran anti-Senator Barack Obama TV ads during the 2008 United States presidential campaign. Martin appeared on The O'Reilly Factor to discuss the group's commercials.

2010: Nominee for Missouri's 3rd congressional district

In 2010, Ed Martin became the Republican Party's nominee for Missouri's 3rd congressional district; however, he lost to the incumbent Democrat Russ Carnahan.

2010: Challenged Russ Carnahan

In 2010, Ed Martin challenged Democratic incumbent Russ Carnahan for his seat; however, Russ Carnahan defeated Ed Martin.

2010: Founded Term Limits for Missouri

In 2010, Ed Martin founded Term Limits for Missouri, an organization that works to pass laws for term limits on all statewide elective positions in the state.

April 2011: End of term in Missouri State Parks Advisory Board

In April 2011, Ed Martin's tenure as a member of the Missouri State Parks Advisory Board ended.

January 26, 2012: Dropped out of Congressional race

On January 26, 2012, Ed Martin announced he was dropping out of the Congressional race and filed to run for Missouri Attorney General against incumbent Democrat Chris Koster.

2012: Unsuccessful run for Missouri Attorney General

In 2012, Ed Martin was the unsuccessful Republican nominee for Missouri Attorney General.

January 5, 2013: Elected Chairman of the Missouri Republican Party

On January 5, 2013, Ed Martin was elected chairman of the Missouri Republican Party, defeating incumbent chair David Cole and former Missouri State Senator Jane Cunningham.

2015: Appointed President of the Eagle Forum

In 2015, Ed Martin was appointed as President of the Eagle Forum, a conservative advocacy group founded by Phyllis Schlafly.

2016: Appeared on RT America and Sputnik

From 2016 to 2024, Ed Martin appeared more than 150 times on RT America and Sputnik, both of which are Russian state-controlled news agencies.

2016: Co-authored "The Conservative Case for Trump"

In 2016, Ed Martin co-authored "The Conservative Case for Trump" with Phyllis Schlafly and Brett M. Decker.

The Conservative Case for Trump

Check it on Amazon

2016: Removed from Eagle Forum Presidency

In 2016, Ed Martin was removed from his position as President of the Eagle Forum. Subsequently, a lawsuit was filed to bar Martin from any association with the group, and he was found liable for defamation and false light against Anne Schlafly Cori.

2017: CNN Contributor

In 2017, Ed Martin was a CNN contributor.

2018: Unsuccessful Run for Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

In 2018, Ed Martin moved to Great Falls, Virginia, where he ran unsuccessfully for the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

December 2024: Nomination Intention Announced

In December 2024, President Trump announced his intention to nominate Ed Martin for Chief of Staff for the Office of Management and Budget.

2024: Appeared on RT America and Sputnik

From 2016 to 2024, Ed Martin appeared more than 150 times on RT America and Sputnik, both of which are Russian state-controlled news agencies.

2024: RNC Platform Committee Member

In 2024, Ed Martin, then president of Phyllis Schlafly Eagles, served on the Republican National Committee (RNC) Platform Committee.

January 2025: Appointed Interim United States Attorney for the District of Columbia

In January 2025, Ed Martin was appointed as the interim United States Attorney for the District of Columbia by President Donald Trump. Prior to this, he had served as Chair of the Missouri Republican Party from 2013 to 2015.

January 2025: Appointed Interim U.S. Attorney

In January 2025, instead of Chief of Staff, Donald Trump appointed Ed Martin as the interim United States Attorney for the District of Columbia.

January 20, 2025: Appointment as Interim U.S. Attorney

On January 20, 2025, Ed Martin was appointed as the Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, immediately after Donald Trump's inauguration as the 47th President.

February 2025: Pledge of support to DOGE

In February 2025, Ed Martin publicly pledged his office's support to Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), promising legal action against anyone impeding their work, amidst controversy surrounding DOGE's actions at federal agencies.

May 8, 2025: Withdrawal of Nomination

On May 8, 2025, President Trump announced he would withdraw Ed Martin's nomination. Later that day, he announced Jeanine Pirro would replace Martin as the interim appointee.

May 2025: Senate Confirmation Unlikely

In May 2025, Ed Martin's Senate confirmation as U.S. Attorney appeared unlikely after Senator Thom Tillis announced his opposition, leaving Martin without enough votes.