By Aaron Blake, The Hill
Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) announced Tuesday that he will not seek reelection in 2010, passing on what looked to be one of the most difficult reelection battles in the country.
Martinez, 62, has been saying for weeks that he intended to run again but would wait until January to make an announcement. Instead, he announced less than a month after the 2008 elections that he is passing on another term.
Martinez did not indicate whether he will serve out his term in Congress, but said that the early announcement came so that candidates would have ample time to rally support for their campaigns.
The senator stated that he never wanted to be in public office throughout his career, adding that he thought during his campaign for Orange County mayor in 1998 that he would spend four-to-eight years in politics.
During his Senate tenure, the former Housing and Urban Development secretary had a brief and unsuccessful stint as co-chairman of the Republican National Committee – a position he vacated after less than a year.
“The next eight years would have been two of candidacy and six of serving – I just wanted to go a different direction with my life,” Martinez said.
Democrats are searching for a candidate in the race. Among those being mentioned at this early stage are Reps. Allen Boyd, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Ron Klein, Robert Wexler and Kathy Castor, as well as state Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink.
from the Palm Beach Post:
Gov. Charlie Crist released this statement on U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez’ decision to not seek re-election in 2010.
“I am of course very disappointed that my good friend Mel Martinez has decided not to run for re-election. The state of Florida is losing a great advocate in the U.S. Senate. Mel has fought tirelessly on Florida’s behalf to protect our tourism economy, promote free trade, restore our nation’s Everglades, keep taxes low for Florida’s families and ensure Florida’s fair share of federal resources.
“While I would have loved for Mel to be making a different announcement today, I know that he has to be looking forward to spending more time in the Sunshine State with his family. I know that they have sacrificed having their husband and dad in Washington for the last several years, and Florida thanks them for allowing Mel to represent our great state so ably in the United States Senate.
“I’m proud to call Mel Martinez my friend and look forward to continuing to work together on behalf of the people of our state.”
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