Mel Martinez

Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) announced Friday that he would resign, ending months of speculation that he would not finish out his term and opening the door for Gov. Charlie Crist to name a replacement. "My priorities have always been my faith, my family and my country. And at this stage in my life, and after nearly 12 years of public service in Florida and Washington, it's time I return to Florida and my family," Martinez wrote in an e-mail to friends and supporters. He earlier had announced plans to retire in 2010.

Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) announced Friday that he would resign, ending months of speculation that he would not finish out his term and opening the door for Gov. Charlie Crist to name a replacement. "My priorities have always been my faith, my family and my country. And at this stage in my life, and after nearly 12 years of public service in Florida and Washington, it's time I return to Florida and my family," Martinez wrote in an e-mail to friends and supporters. He earlier had announced plans to retire in 2010.

Mel Martinez has resigned as Housing and Urban Development secretary, departing under pressure from the White House to run for the U.S. Senate in Florida. In his resignation letter to President Bush, Martinez made no mention of plans to seek a Senate seat, but White House officials said he planned such an announcement late this month or possibly after the holidays. Martinez timed his official departure for noon Friday, allowing him to attend one last Cabinet meeting on Thursday.

In the Senate, freedom apparently comes with retirement. On Wednesday, three Republicans who are not seeking reelection next year broke with their party and announced they would support Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. The most notable was Christopher S. Bond, the four-term senator from Missouri. Joining him in backing President Obama's first high court pick were Sens. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire and Mel Martinez of Florida. The Senate scheduled a vote for 3 p.m. today.

Mel Martinez's victory in Florida's Republican U.S. Senate primary Tuesday means that the 2004 presidential election fight for Latino voters -- especially Cuban Americans -- has been joined by a key supporter of Bush in this battleground state. Earlier this year, the Bush administration angered some in the Cuban American community who interpreted new restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba as an intrusion into their extended family relations.

Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) endorsed John McCain on Friday, a move likely to give the Republican presidential candidate a boost with the state's Cuban Americans days before the Tuesday primary. "I understand that he is ready on Day One to lead this nation, and I would trust the future and the security of this nation to this man," Martinez said in introducing the Arizona senator to the Latin Builders Assn.

Two of President-elect George W. Bush's Cabinet nominees enjoyed clear sailing in their confirmation appearances Wednesday before two Senate committees. Treasury Secretary-designate Paul H. O'Neill, 65, told the Senate Finance Committee that Bush will send Congress a broad package of tax cuts "in six weeks or so" and may ask that they be made retroactive to Jan. 1.

On Feb. 6, 1962, a 15-year-old Cuban refugee named Melquiades Martinez arrived in the United States, scared and alone. He was taken to Camp Matecumbe, a makeshift home for more than 400 Cuban youths, given two cookies and a carton of milk. He spent that first frightening night sleeping on an Army-style bunk bed.

Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.), a prominent Latino who previously served in President Bush's Cabinet, will assume the high-profile post of Republican National Committee general chairman, GOP officials said Monday. Martinez, 60, will remain in the Senate when he takes the reins of the RNC in January, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid pre-empting a formal announcement.

The Republican Party's highest-ranking Latino official abruptly resigned Friday, marking the latest casualty in the GOP's bitter internal fight over immigration and dealing another setback to President Bush's years-long effort to court Latino voters. The announcement by Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida that he was quitting as general chairman of the Republican National Committee came after he had expressed frustration over the tenor of the immigration debate within his party.

Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) endorsed John McCain on Friday, a move likely to give the Republican presidential candidate a boost with the state's Cuban Americans days before the Tuesday primary. "I understand that he is ready on Day One to lead this nation, and I would trust the future and the security of this nation to this man," Martinez said in introducing the Arizona senator to the Latin Builders Assn.

The Republican Party's highest-ranking Latino official abruptly resigned Friday, marking the latest casualty in the GOP's bitter internal fight over immigration and dealing another setback to President Bush's years-long effort to court Latino voters. The announcement by Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida that he was quitting as general chairman of the Republican National Committee came after he had expressed frustration over the tenor of the immigration debate within his party.

President Bush's decision to back Sen. Mel Martinez to help lead the Republican Party, a move intended to appeal to disaffected Latino voters, drew sharp criticism Tuesday from some of the party's core conservatives, who disdain the Florida lawmaker's support for liberalized immigration laws.

Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.), a prominent Latino who previously served in President Bush's Cabinet, will assume the high-profile post of Republican National Committee general chairman, GOP officials said Monday. Martinez, 60, will remain in the Senate when he takes the reins of the RNC in January, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid pre-empting a formal announcement.

Mel Martinez's victory in Florida's Republican U.S. Senate primary Tuesday means that the 2004 presidential election fight for Latino voters -- especially Cuban Americans -- has been joined by a key supporter of Bush in this battleground state. Earlier this year, the Bush administration angered some in the Cuban American community who interpreted new restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba as an intrusion into their extended family relations.

Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez won the Republican nomination Tuesday for Florida's open Senate seat, giving President Bush a boost in a key battleground state. The Cuban-born Martinez, the White House's handpicked choice to compete for the seat of retiring Democratic Sen. Bob Graham, had trailed for much of the campaign, sparking concern among GOP strategists that a loss in the primary would embarrass Bush in the midst of the party's national convention.

Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez won the Republican nomination Tuesday for Florida's open Senate seat, giving President Bush a boost in a key battleground state. The Cuban-born Martinez, the White House's handpicked choice to compete for the seat of retiring Democratic Sen. Bob Graham, had trailed for much of the campaign, sparking concern among GOP strategists that a loss in the primary would embarrass Bush in the midst of the party's national convention.

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez intends to resign from President Bush's Cabinet and campaign for the Senate in Florida, Republican sources said Friday, marking a development that would rock the Sunshine State's politics and carry implications for American Latinos far beyond Florida. The Cuban-born Martinez would seek the seat being vacated by three-term Democratic Sen. Bob Graham.

Mel Martinez has resigned as Housing and Urban Development secretary, departing under pressure from the White House to run for the U.S. Senate in Florida. In his resignation letter to President Bush, Martinez made no mention of plans to seek a Senate seat, but White House officials said he planned such an announcement late this month or possibly after the holidays. Martinez timed his official departure for noon Friday, allowing him to attend one last Cabinet meeting on Thursday.

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez intends to resign from President Bush's Cabinet and campaign for the Senate in Florida, Republican sources said Friday, marking a development that would rock the Sunshine State's politics and carry implications for American Latinos far beyond Florida. The Cuban-born Martinez would seek the seat being vacated by three-term Democratic Sen. Bob Graham.