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 by	Al C. Ruland
Succeeded by	Regis Groff
Personal details
Born	E Martin Hatcher (1927-09-19)September 19, 1927 Ada, Oklahoma
Died	December 27, 2023(2023-12-27) (aged 96) Gunnison, Colorado
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Maxine Hatcher (née Millikin)
Children	Three sons
Residence	Gunnison, Colorado
Alma mater	University of Denver
Profession	Professor 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]