GOP Sen. Martinez Retiring To Have More Free Time

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida, who has struggled to boost his approval rating since taking office, will not seek a second term in 2010, a state Republican party official said Tuesday.

The official said Martinez was scheduled to make the announcement at a Tuesday morning news conference in Orlando. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to make the announcement.

Martinez was elected in 2004 after serving as the U.S. secretary for Housing and Urban Development for President George W. Bush. He served as general chairman of the Republican National Committee for 10 months, resigning in October 2007.

Martinez, 62, was born in Cuba. At the age of 15, he fled to America as part of a Catholic humanitarian effort called Operation Pedro Pan. Catholic charitable groups provided Martinez, who was alone and spoke virtually no English, a temporary home at two youth facilities. He then lived with two foster families, with whom he remains close. He was reunited with his family in Orlando in 1966.

In appointing Martinez in 2001, Bush said he was "the embodiment of the American Dream."

The Washington Post adds that "Martinez's decision was based on a desire for more free time and a less scheduled life." Martinez was also expected to be a Democratic target in 2010.

Comments

[Felicty]

And what (or who's) child was he caught in bed with?

[Tropiholic]

What a quick trip Mel, what else is going on that we don't know about?

[LMPE]

I've never been in Florida, and I certainly don't know who would be a good replacement for this guy. I know that the Sunshine State was the scene of the infamous incidents of the 2000 election, but it's gotta have some good people.

[Marichu]

There has to be some other unknown reason than the one given for Mel not to seek a second term as senator. For some politicians, especially those that have made it to such a prestigious, high profile job, you almost have to pry them away kicking and screaming.
Alex Sink, Florida's outstanding CFO, must be seriously looking at running for his senate seat.

[desertdweller]

Regresar a Cuba, Senor Mel

[TScheisskopf]

Why do I get the feeling that when one considers all the spleen venting Mitchell Wade and Jack Abramoff have done to the DoJ, Martinez is hearing footsteps and retiring to spend more time with his lawyers?

[ron1000]

Hooray, who needs him.

[skooby]

As a Floridian all I can say is Later NuggNuts!!

[MizLiz]

Why do I not believe this excuse? Doesn't ring true. Could the Powers That Be have told him to retire quietly with some shreds of dignity before something nasty surfaced? Okay, so I am a jaded cynic.

[inluvwkeitholbermann]

c 'ya

[susanthe]

Is something ugly about to bite him in the behind?

[horsey]

somebody has the goods on him, he's not leaving on his own free will.

[lioness39]

Let's fill Mel's seat with a Democrat.

[Georgia1992]

I'm for that!

[TovSquirrel]

How about an independent?

[robiform]

Bye, bye, Mel--don't let the door hit you on the way out!

Anyone else think that maybe Governor Crist might run for the Senate? I know that Jeb & Co. have been grooming his elder son for "the next generation", but I have a feeling that the name "Bush" might still be poisonous in two years (let's hope so!). Debbie Wasserman Schultz is OK, but I wish that her Red-to-Blue committee had made more of an effort in the South Florida congressional races this year. The Democrats might have taken one of the three GOP seats that were being contested!

[DrFrasierCrane]

I would nominate Rep. Robert Wexler of Palm Beach County. He has cojones and he would make an outstanding Senator.

[WilliamL]

Wexler does not live in Florida nor has he for 11 years or so instead rents an apt. only because he was caught claiming his in-laws condo in a 55 year and older set up.

Living out of state and reping a district might be legal but is not at all proper. He can say what he wants but was not open, did not disclose to all that he and his family lives in Maryland. He says it it because he did not want to be away from his family. What he did/does is deceptive.

A congressional rep., one wd. think, wd. live in his district. Wexler has lived in Maryland long enough that he sd. consider running for congress in the district he lives.

[cdub1991]

Senators really hate being in the minority. You always start seeing an upsurge in retirements when the balance of power changes and it looks like it might last a while.