Marty Block

Marty Block
Marty Block at the 2014 San Diego LGBT Pride Parade.
Member of the California State Senate from the 39th district
In office December 3, 2012 – November 30, 2016
Preceded by	Christine Kehoe
Succeeded by	Toni Atkins
Member of the California State Assembly from the 78th district
In office December 1, 2008 – November 30, 2012
Preceded by	Shirley Horton
Personal details
Born	Martin Jeffrey Block (1950-06-28) June 28, 1950 (age 66) Chicago, Illinois
Political party	Democratic
Residence	San Diego, California
Alma mater	Syracuse University Indiana University (BA) DePaul University (JD)
Profession	Professor Attorney

Martin Jeffrey "Marty" Block (born June 28, 1950) is an American politician who served in the California State Senate. A Democrat, he represented Senate District 39, which encompasses central San Diego County including most of the city of San Diego.

Block is the immediate past Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus. Before being elected to the State Senate, he served in the California State Assembly, representing Assembly District 78 from 2008 to 2012. Before his time in the California Legislature, he was a longtime administrator and professor at San Diego State University.

Block earned his BA in political science and education at Indiana University as well as a law degree from DePaul University. He began his career as a history teacher in Illinois before coming to San Diego. Block retired after 26 years as a professor, dean and director at San Diego State University where he founded the National Higher Education Law and Policy Institute. He is a five-time recipient of outstanding faculty awards at San Diego State University and was presented with the University Distinguished Service Award upon retirement by SDSU President Stephen Weber.

Block has been president of both the San Diego County Board of Education and the San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees. He has frequently served as Judge Pro Tem of the San Diego Superior Court. Block’s community involvement includes time as commissioner of the San Diego County Commission on Children, Youth and Families. He also founded the San Diego Latino/Jewish Coalition and served as president of the American Jewish Committee, San Diego Chapter. Block was elected as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention four separate times in 1988, 1992, 1996, and 2004.