[4] In 2012, he unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for the Congressional seat being vacated by Martin Heinrich, who retired from the House to run for Senate.

[2] He pulled a major upset by defeating former Governor David Cargo in the 1993 election for Mayor of Albuquerque 50.4%-49.6%, a difference of just 596 votes.

Chávez had served on ICLEI USA's Board of Directors and was recognized nationally as a "green mayor" during his tenure in Albuquerque.

Chavez leads a staff of 52 ICLEI USA employees, based in six regional offices: Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Oakland, and Seattle.

In addition to these responsibilities Chávez also speaks at many conferences including George Mason University's Washington Youth Summit on the Environment in 2011.

[30] Chávez sought the Democratic nomination to succeed Martin Heinrich in the U.S. House, but lost to Bernalillo County Commissioner Michelle Lujan Grisham.

[31] Martin Chavez was named to a two-year term on the board of directors of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) in May 2013.