Martin named Republican of the Year

The Inter-Mountain photo by Brad Johnson
Clark Martin accepts the 2024 Republican of the Year Award from Carolyn Jackson, chairwoman of the Randolph County Republican Executive Committee.

ELKINS — Clark Martin has been named the 2024 Randolph County Republican of the Year.

“Thank you very much for this honor. I appreciate it. I’ve always been glad to be a part of the Republican Party, and I try to help the cause,” Martin said in accepting the award during the 2024 Lincoln Day Dinner, held recently at the Elks Lodge.

Martin is a longtime Elkins radio personality, and is currently the chairman of the Randolph County Solid Waste Authority. He is also currently the secretary of the Randolph County Republican Executive Committee.

“Somebody else who is up there who kind of leaned me toward what party to belong to, and who is probably up there spending time with Ed Tyre and Tom Williams, is my father, Carroll Martin. He’s the one who kind of pushed me in this direction, and I’m glad he did,” Martin said.

Carolyn Jackson, the chairwoman of the Randolph County Republican Executive Committee, praised Martin when presenting him with the award.

“The person the committee has elected to receive this honor, he’s committed and steadfast in his faith,” Jackson said. “He believes in friends and family. He’s a dedicated man of God. He’s faithful to his church and its people. He has pledged to pray for the needs of people and he is a powerful prayer warrior. When he prays for you, you know you’ve been prayed for.

“Whatever he believes in, he puts his shoulder to the wheel and works for it. Whether these are the conservative causes of the county, state or country, or the Elkins High School Alumni Association. He’s a volunteer extraordinary. He can always be counted on to go above and beyond what is asked.”

Jackson also shared an anecdote about how Martin answered a weekend call to come and help her clean up water and damages after she discovered the Randolph County Republican Party headquarters’ roof had leaked.

“He sees relationships built among people and family as lasting. Whether it’s his friends from college days, or his sisters or cousins, he sees the rich value of relationships nurtured over time.

“The family farm on Left Cherry Fork in Montrose is another area of dedication and commitment. There are only a few family members living close to the farm, but he is dedicated to the upkeep of the farm. There are now seven generations of family living in Texas, Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas, for whom this farm will always mean home and family.”

Martin is the 31st recipient of the Randolph County Republican of the Year Award.