Amber Martin, daughter of longtime former City Councilman Harry Martin, announced Wednesday she intends to run for the position her father held for more than 12 years.

Martin, 35, will join incumbent Councilmembers Mark van Gorder and Jim Krider in the Nov. 4 battle for two council seats.

“Amber wants to become the ‘second generation’ Martin on the City Council. ... She waited to see if her father was going to run for City Council again and when he decided not to, she made the decision to enter the race,” Harry Martin said in a prepared statement.

Harry Martin, publisher of the Napa Sentinel, is in a November runoff for Napa County Supervisor against incumbent Mark Luce.

Amber Martin, who works at the Sentinel as an editor, is a Napa High School graduate who also attended Napa Valley College. Martin is a single mother of two young daughters — something she says many voters can relate to.

“Being a single mom of two girls and having to live off of a low income, I know how hard it is and I hope I can take that knowledge to help others in a similar (situation). Low income housing is a big issue with me. I’ve watched my dad over the years and I’ve kept up on things and it really helps if there’s somebody there who knows what the people are going through,” she said.

Martin said having a hand in her father’s campaigning efforts over the years has familiarized her with local politics, adding that the pair shares some political views.

“We’re alike in the fact that we’re out there for the little guy,” she said.

Still, Harry Martin said, the two do not always agree.

“We don’t always vote for the same candidates by any means,” he said. “I raised her to be independent and I raised my son the same way. ... This is her campaign, not mine.”

Martin said if elected, she plans to work to improve the condition of city streets and sidewalks and advocate for more local affordable housing.

“The working class needs a chance. ... Basically, I’m not really crazy about developing Napa to the point where a normal family can’t live here,” she said.

Amber Martin is opposed to the Napa Pipe project and to building 1,000 homes on the Ghisletta property, according to a statement from Harry Martin. A “higher priority for flood control along Napa Creek” is also cited on Martin’s wish list in the statement.

Other potential candidates for City Council include former Napa Police Chief Dan Monez and Planning Commissioner Gordon Heuther. Mayor Jill Techel, who is running for re-election, has one announced rival, Napa businessman Don Huffman.