Martin Hatcher

E Martin Hatcher (September 19, 1927 – December 27, 2023) was a college professor and Democratic state senator from Colorado, U.S. He served two terms in the state senate, from 1975 to 1983.[2] Born in Ada, Oklahoma, he moved with his family to Denver as a child, then after finishing college he moved to Gunnison, Colorado and began teaching at Western State College (now Western Colorado University), where he taught for 44 years.[1]

E Martin Hatcher
Member of the Colorado Senate
from the 33rd district
In office
January 14, 1975 – January 5, 1983
Preceded byAl C. Ruland
Succeeded byRegis Groff
Personal details
Born
E Martin Hatcher

(1927-09-19)September 19, 1927
Ada, Oklahoma
DiedDecember 27, 2023(2023-12-27) (aged 96)
Gunnison, Colorado
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseMaxine Hatcher (née Millikin)
ChildrenThree sons
ResidenceGunnison, Colorado
Alma materUniversity of Denver
ProfessionProfessor of speech and drama
[1][2]

Elections

Hatcher first ran for the state senate in 1974. He ran unopposed in the Democratic Primary. In the general election, he initially faced long-term incumbent Republican Harry M. Locke, who had served in the state senate since 1951. However, Locke died in October 1974, a month after winning the Republican primary. A Republican vacancy committee appointed John B. Shawcroft to replace Locke, but the general election ballots had already been printed, forcing Shawcroft to wage a write-in campaign. Hatcher won handily. He was re-elected in 1978.[2][3]

Senate leadership position

Hatcher served as the Senate Minority Caucus Chair from 1981 to 1982.[4]

Personal life and death

Hatcher's official first name is simply the letter E, without a period. To friends and family, he was known as Marty. He married Maxine Millikin, who predeceased him, in 1948.[1] He held a bachelor's, a master's, and a doctoral degree from the University of Denver. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army as a cryptographic technician in Fairbanks, Alaska and was honorably discharged in 1946.[5] He died on December 27, 2023, in Gunnison.[1]

References
  1. "E Martin "Marty" Hatcher". Gunnison Country Times. January 10, 2024. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  2. "Martin Hatcher (D)". Colorado Secretary of State. n.d. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  3. "Salida Senator Harry Locke dies". The Daily Sentinel. Grand Junction, Colorado. October 14, 1974. p. 8.
  4. "E. Martin Hatcher". Legislator History Database — Colorado legislators past and present. Colorado General Assembly. n.d. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  5. "Senate memorial 24-002: Concerning memorializing former senator E Martin "Marty" Hatcher" (PDF). Colorado General Assembly. 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
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