« BACK  |  PRINT

RS

MEMBER DIARY

Martinez Retiring

Adi?s

By: James Richardson (Diary)  |  December 2nd, 2008 at 11:02 AM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

Though no official announcement has been made, Chris Cilliza reports that the Sunshine State’s lone Republican US Senator, Mel Martinez, has
decided to not seek a second term in 2010.

According to sources close to Martinez – the former beleaguered General Chairman of the Republican National Committee who resigned amid the
comprehensive immigration debate – the retirement was prompted by a desire for “more free time and a less scheduled life.” Martinez’s
retirement is sure to start a new parlor game in Floridian politics, ensuring both a costly and competitive primary and general election.

Of the potential candidates:

State Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, widely seen as Democrats’ strongest potential candidate, has
apparently decided that she would not run
but may well reconsider that decision given Martinez’s expected announcement today. Democratic Reps. Ron Kleinand Kendrick
Meek as well as state Sen. Dan Gelber are likely to consider the open seat race.

On the Republican side, there may well be a push to recruit former Gov. Jeb Bush into the contest although that seems like a long shot.
State Attorney General Bill McCollum will almost certainly be mentioned as will state Senate
President Jeff Atwater and former state House speaker Marco Rubio.

Cross-posted at Skepticians.com

Tags: , , ,

COMMENTS

POSTING RULES  |  LOGIN TO COMMENT  |  REGISTER TODAY
  • TxCon

    Martinez was average at best, but he probably would have won re-election. I’m not that familar with potential candidates other than Jeb Bush, but please not a retread like Bill McCollum.

  • TC_Robinson

    I disagree that this is a tough seat to hold. Martinez being “average at best” is the reason Betty Castor nearly beat him. Now, we have a chance to get a strong candidate, and to me it has to be Jeb Bush or someone from his inner circle. Perhaps former Lt. Governor Toni Jennings? If you’re looking for someone from Congress, I like Connie Mack, Illeana Ros-Lehtinen or maybe Mario Diaz-Balart.

    Honestly though, if it’s anyone other than Joe Scarborough or Katherine Harris, I think we’re fine.

  • TxCon

    on who we’ve recruited in the past. That and I just can’t figure out the voting sense of Floridians. So even with the best candidates, I’ll never count Florida as an easy win.

  • SeriousLaff

    Probably knows he will probably lose.

    Possible Republican pick up.

    Jeb Bush is popular there and could win. Otherwise the Bush name is poison on a national level.

  • Oscar98

    C ya! I was going to work for one of his GOP opponents anyway. This will save me the time and effort.

  • fightnow

    It’s good to see we’re getting rid of some of that dead wood.

    • red_oakster

      Letting an incumbent have some time in office could give him or her the time necessary to build up an insurmountable advantage.

      Bush is the obvious pick if he wants it, but Mack also looks promising.

      • red_oakster

        I hope Martinez resigns

  • its_a_right_wing_thing

    First off I find this news surprising considering I thought Martinez was a safe seat.

    With that said, yes it will be difficult to gauge how “Floridians” vote since its hard to find native Floridaians. Much of this seat will be due to New Yorkers, “snow birds” (hate that term) and other relocated Northerners who don’t know the cultural values of the state since they didn’t grow up there.

    Democrats-Ron Klien is Jewish
    Kendrick Meek-black
    Don Gelber very likely Jewish

    Republicans
    Bush-no more Bushes. period.
    Atwater-white guy, looks the most “electable”
    McCollum-white guy
    Rubio-the wildcard. A Cuban-American in a state where the S. 1/3 is heavily Cuban.

    I see Rubio as the favorite because of this and like Martinez, is hispanic in a very diverse state which is why I bring up the racial background as it will play a role in this election and demonstrates the diversity of the state and possibly voter intent/ a gauge on how Republicans might keep this seat.

    • TC_Robinson

      She disagrees with Republicans on one issue, and that makes her a RINO? If that’s the case, then there are NO true Republican Governors, Senators or Congressmen becasue NONE OF THEM are conservatives in every sense of the word.

      She’s considered conservative on economic, foreign policy and every other social issue, but that’s not good enough. Someone has some awful high standards.

      • conservativemusician

        I just don’t believe that the conservative base will take a chance on nominating Jeb, especially if there is even the slightest possibility that he would not govern as a conservative or would abandon the conservative base as both his brother and father did through breaking promises (“Read my lips…no new taxes”) or by supporting horrible, leftist legislation (comprehensive immigration reform).

        Also, the libs would have an absolute field day bringing up the past mistakes of both Bush presidencies and hanging this around Jeb’s neck. Through no fault of his own, Jeb has already accumulated too much baggage being tied to the Bush family name, so I say it is time to move on and support some new conservative blood (i.e. Palin or Jindal). As I said in a prior post on this thread, no more Bush…please!

        • Trunk

          n/t

          • GregInFla

            Martinez knew he was on way out, if he read his emails from me.

          • GregInFla

            here in Brevard county, where he had position at the community college without doing much. Now he’s at UF doing the same thing (not much). I really like Jeb, and he is not of the usual Bush mold. He is a true conservative. How about Rush for Senate? Too bad he couldn’t debate on the floor with Hillary or Biden.

          • Steven_Willis

            I’m not sure where you get your information. I’ve talked to one of his students and to him. He is a lecturer (with an internal title of professor) on the same campus where I am. As far as I know, he works.

            Agreed, he got some bad press over it . . . but that was local in GV.

          • GregInFla

            There were plenty of ill feelings in Brevard when he was criticized for getting a good sized paycheck at BCC for a perceived low amount of duties. I am glad to hear all is going better at UF. Go Tebow!

  • conservativemusician

    n/t

  • E_Pluribus_Unum

    ….on the way out. Mediocre recruiting is part of what led us to the wilderness. And MM is a perfect example.

  • Lamplighter331

    Okay, maybe I’m being a little overly dramatic, but it struck me that his appointment as general chairman was the first indicator (at least to little old me) that foul things were afoot for the Conservative cause. I believe he was appointed to the position over calls for Michael Steele (I’m probably wrong on that).

    The hullaballoo about Martinez was how he personified President Bush’s “new tone”, how he was a go along to get along guy and how he’d help steer a bipartisan course.

    Truth be told, he was no Haley Barbour.

    As a resident of NE Florida, I’m excited about the prospect of new blood, but as has been stated before, we are a quirky state, not easily predictable as to our choices. I am not for McCollum. His last stab at the Senate was woefully inept and I would hate to see him try again. I’d vote for Jeb, but I’m open to anyone, really.

    My dark horse?

    Personally, I like John Delaney, former mayor of Jacksonville, and current President of the University of North Florida, but that’s just me.

  • rcov092

    Crist will name a Rino in the mould of…well Charlie Crist. He would not want to have anyone for people to compare himself too.

    Any appointee will have a leg up. The problem is that the candidate that Crist would pick will have a tough time winning the election as he will be from the Crist mold and Crist’s star is falling in Florida.

  • rcov092

    May decide on a run for President, will want to lay low until he decides if the Bush name can possibly re-insert itself on a National Level.

  • Steven_Willis

    I suggest Mike Haridopolos, Majority Whip of the State Senate. He is young, very bright, very energetic, and very personable. As far as I’ve noticed, he is popular and a good campaigner. He is a history lecturer at UF and somewhat reminiscent of a young Newt without the baggage.

  • reldim

    Ros-Lehtinen is a darling of the Log Cabin Republicans, is frequently a sponsor of legislation to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and supports stupid hokum too often. She is a classic RINO.

    I have never considered either of the Diaz-Balart brothers to be much better. If you want a crappy RINO Senator then Martinez might as well resign now and just let Crist pick someone – at least that way we’d get a RINO with a leg up in the general election.