U.S. Senator Mel Martinez, R-Fla, will step down from the Senate, over a year prior to the end of his term, citing “personal reasons” and apparently acting on his early promise to his constituents that he “wouldn’t simply warm a seat.”
The only Hispanic Republican in the Senate issued a statement on Friday afternoon: “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.”
Prior to his senate post, Martinez served as Chairman of the Republican Party, and as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President George W. Bush.
Martinez, a first-term senator, announced in December that he would not be running for reelection, leaving the post open for Governor Charlie Crist, who plans to run for the seat. The governor will be tasked with appointing an interim placeholder for the vacated senate seat and is sure to pick a Republican who will step aside to pave the way for a Crist victory at the end of next year.
Martinez is the second GOP senator to resign in recent days. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas has announced that she will step down this fall in order to challenge Republican Rick Perry for governor.
Martinez and his wife Kitty have three children; Lauren Martinez Shea, John Martinez, Andrew Martinez, and three grandchildren. The couple live in the Orlando area when they are not in Washington D.C.
View more Martinez family photos and watch the resignation video announcement below.