Fla. Senator to Resign, Clear Path For Crist
Crist responded carefully, immediately passing on the opportunity to install himself as the incumbent leading up to the GOP primary. He is likely to pick a placeholder Republican who will not run against him, meaning Martinezs resignation will have no immediate effect on the balance of power in the Senate, where Democrats control the 60 seats needed to overcome Republican filibusters.
Martinez, 62, had already announced he wouldnt seek re-election, but his early departure immediately sharpened the focus on a race that the GOP can ill afford to lose next fall.
The only Hispanic Republican in the Senate, Martinez said he was making good on a promise to voters that he wouldnt simply keep the seat warm.
“Theres no impending reason, its just my desire to move on,” he said.
Martinez, known as a voice on immigration and issues involving Cuba, crossed party lines Thursday to vote in favor of Judge Sonia Sotomayors nomination to become the first Hispanic on the U.S. Supreme Court.
He said Friday that the next phase of his life will be in the private sector, but he didnt have any specific plans. He said he would serve until his replacement was named; Crist promised to try to make his selection before the Senate returns from its summer break after Labor Day.
Much of the talk about whom Crist would nominate centered on former Florida Secretary of State Jim Smith, 69, who told The Associated Press on Friday that he would love to have the job for a little while.
“Id go tomorrow,” Smith said from Colorado Springs where he and his wife, Carole, were vacationing. “It would be a great way to end a public career.”
Also apparently in the mix is former Gov. Bob Martinez, 71, though he said he has not talked with Crist or Mel Martinez, with whom he is not related.
Crist bypassed a likely safe re-election bid by getting into the Senate race where he is being challenged by former state House Speaker Marco Rubio, a West Miami Republican. Rubio is banking on support from GOP conservatives unhappy with the governor for his support of President Barack Obamas economic stimulus plan and because of his lukewarm opposition to abortion and gay marriage.
U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek of Miami is the only major Democratic candidate.
Floridas senior U.S. senator, Democrat Bill Nelson, is midway through his second term.
“The best way to make it easy for him would be to do the right thing and that is pick a well qualified person to do the job,” said former state GOP party boss Van Poole. “And I think thats what hes going to do.”
University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato said the appointment is an opportunity for the Florida governor – one way or another.
“This is a great opportunity, but you can blow an opportunity,” Sabato said. “The worst thing he could do was to appoint a flunky or himself.”
With the GOP struggling for relevance in the Democratic-controlled Congress, Mel Martinez is the third prominent Republican in recent days to announce an early resignation. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison said in late July she would step down this fall to challenge fellow Republican Rick Perry for governor of Texas. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin stepped down July 26.
Martinezs resignation leaves just one Hispanic in the Senate, Democrat Robert Menendez of New Jersey.