Why has Florida Senator, Mel Martinez, decided to resign early?
TALLAHASSEE — Sen. Mel Martinez told friends and supporters Friday in an e-mail that he’ll step down from the Senate as soon as a replacement is appointed to fill out his term. “My priorities have always been my faith, my family and my country and at this stage in my life, and after nearly twelve years of public service in Florida and Washington, it’s time I return to Florida and my family,” said Martinez, who had already ruled out a run for re-election in 2010. In an extraordinary turn of events, Gov. Charlie Crist, the leading Republican to replace Martinez in the U.S. Senate, will have the power to appoint someone to fill the remainder of Martinez’s term. Crist has denied that he’d appoint himself. He’s expected to make an announcement on a fill-in before the end of the August recess when the Senate returns to Washington. Some names already surfacing: former Sen. Connie Mack, former Gov. Bob Martinez and former Secretary of State Jim Smith. Some speculate that Crist might step dow
