Pharmacist and business owner T.J. Marti, a Republican, Wednesday announced his candidacy for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 75. The seat is currently held by Democrat Rep. Karen Gaddis.
He believes it’s his mission in life to take care of others. In that vein, Marti is running for office for the first time.
Marti, 36, is a doctor of pharmacy and owner of CareFirst Pharmacy. T.J. and wife, Tiffany have three children, Jagger, 7, Jett, 2, and Layla, 11 months. Marti is passionate about running a successful business and raising children who serve their neighbors instead of themselves.
“We run our business like we run our household, with love and respect. Our employees are like family. That’s why we’ve been successful. We treat them right,” Marti said.
“Frankly, that’s what’s wrong with our state. Instead of doing what’s best for the people, politicians are self-serving. Instead of voting as the voice of their constituents, politics is always at play.”
T.J., a conservative, vows to put a stop to political glad-handing.
“My vote is not for sale,” he said.
Marti believes the state needs to be better managed, starting with cutting wasteful spending.
“We need money for education – specifically our hardworking teachers, for veterans, mental health and special needs,” Marti said. “We can find that money by cutting out the waste.”
T.J. also considers himself strongly pro-life, and believes firmly in the Second Amendment.
T.J. grew up in western Oklahoma and moved to the Tulsa area in 2009. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 2006. After working for a chain pharmacy and an independent pharmacy, Marti knew the missing ingredient — patient care.
“My mission at CareFirst is to take care of patients. We want to counsel every patient on healthier living, and empower them to take care of themselves. That’s our mission and that’s where the CareFirst Pharmacy name originated,” he said.
CareFirst Pharmacy opened in Broken Arrow in 2011. A second CareFirst opened in Tulsa in 2016, and the company purchased the three Apothecary Shoppe pharmacies the same year. Marti is excited about a new venture, Sunshine Care Partners, a chronic care and transition care management company that focuses on cost-saving preventative care. This company looks after the chronically ill and people transitioning from nursing home beds, rehabilitation facilities and other care facilities to home, thus reducing the number of people readmitted to hospitals.
T.J. owns majority interest in the pharmacies, but it is a 100% family owned and operated business. The firms employs approximately 60.
T.J. and his family attend Life Church. When he isn’t working or spending time with family, T.J. enjoys golf and basketball.
See more at www.TJForOklahoma.com.
