This story was printed Aug. 8 on page 1A of the The Palm Beach Post.

By MICHAEL C. BENDER and DAPHNE DURET
Palm Beach Post Staff Writers

ORLANDO — U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, the instigator of the most chaotic year in the past century of Florida politics, threw the state another curveball Friday by resigning 17 months before the end of his first and only term.

The announcement surprised many of the state’s top politicos, despite eight months of rumors that this was coming, and provided another dramatic moment in the buildup to an historic election day in 2010.

The news also inspired immediate speculation that Gov. Charlie Crist, who was already running to succeed Martinez, might name himself to fill the seat. But Crist shot down the notion, saying he would appoint a temporary replacement instead.
A key Republican source said the replacement is expected to be former Florida Secretary of State Jim Smith. Crist said he had not yet decided.

Martinez, 62, an Orlando Republican and Cuban exile, had insisted he would not leave his office early, even though was not seeking re-election. His staff constantly reminded the media that there would be no political benefit for him or his potential successors from an early resignation.

But he changed his mind, saying Friday that he wanted to return home to his family. He will remain in office until he’s replaced, so his resignation won’t affect the Senate’s balance of power.

“This is a free country,” Martinez said. “This is only about my desire to move on with the rest of my life.”

He was vague about what he plans to do next, except that it “will be in the private sector.” Last month, Martinez rejected the possibility of seeking to become president of Florida State University.

In 2007, Martinez had made a similarly abrupt resignation as the Republican Party’s national chairman, after just 10 months.

Friday’s announcement left some disappointed.

“To walk away without a compelling reason is disrespectful to the party and the people you took an oath to represent,” said former state Republican Party Director David Johnson.

“There are those who call us ‘Flori-duh’ for the political theater of the absurd that happens here, and sometimes it’s difficult to argue with.”

But others greeted the news as a breath of fresh air after a parade of politicians — in Florida and across the country — have resigned in disgrace.

“When you’re in the last days of your life, the only people standing around you will be the people who love you,” said former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio, one of several politicians hoping to succeed Martinez. “And those are the people you have to take into account when making this decision.”

By announcing in December he would not seek re-election, Martinez set off a chain reaction that created open races for the governor’s office and each of the Florida Cabinet seats — something that hasn’t happened in 134 years, according to Democratic Party research.

Among other fallout, Crist announced his run for the Senate, becoming the first Florida governor to decline re-election.

Attorney General Bill McCollum, a Republican, and state Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, a Democrat, then decided to drop their re-election bids and instead attempt to replace Crist as governor. Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson, the third Cabinet officer, was already scheduled to leave office because of term limits.

Crist said he “will undertake a very thorough, very comprehensive, thoughtful process” to find a new senator. He said he will not attempt to install himself, which would have allowed him to run in 2010 as the incumbent.

Smith, 69, told The Associated Press on Friday that he would love to have the job temporarily.

“I’d go tomorrow,” Smith said. “It would be a great way to end a public career.”

But former state GOP Chairman Tom Slade said Crist should appoint himself and “get it over with.”

“Just be done with it,” Slade said. “There would be some political dangers, but it’s a smoother transition if Crist would just take the seat.”

Crist’s allies, however, said he would not risk a backlash by appointing himself. Of the eight U.S. governors who have appointed themselves to the U.S. Senate, all but one lost their first re-election attempt, according to National Public Radio.

State Republican Chairman Jim Greer said the possibility was so remote that he had not asked his staff to research the possibility of how Crist would appoint himself.

Some, meanwhile, said there was some risk for Crist in appointing a short-term replacement, particularly if the so-called placeholder made a high-profile flub in office.

“It does put Charlie Crist in a bit of a pickle,” said Lynn University political science professor Robert Watson.
Democrats, expected to nominate U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek of Miami as their Senate candidate, urged Crist to appoint “an independent caretaker.”

“Martinez’s announcement today reaffirms the fact that Florida will be a central battleground over the next 16 months,” Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman said.

Staff writer George Bennett contributed to this story.

Tags: Mel Martinez

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