Florida Sen. Mel Martinez won't run again

U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez says he won't run again

By William E. Gibson | Washington Bureau Chief

December 3, 2008

WASHINGTON - Florida Sen. Mel Martinez' announcement on Tuesday that he won't seek re-election means the U.S. Senate will lose its only immigrant member and an influential voice on immigration overhaul, U.S.-Cuba relations and offshore drilling.

Martinez, a Cuban-American Republican, vowed to help enact sweeping changes to immigration rules during his remaining two years in office and to be a mentor to younger Hispanics.

"I have taken a great deal of pride in representing in a very special way the Hispanic community of Florida," he said at a news conference in Spanish and English in his hometown of Orlando. "In what is left of my time in public life, I will do all that I can to encourage worthy Hispanic people who may want to enter the public arena."

Martinez's role in the Senate and his brief tenure as general chairman of the national Republican Party was a special source of pride for the Cuban-American community of South Florida.

But his attempts to become the new face and voice of the Republican Party — to reach out in particular to Hispanics with an inclusive message that embraced immigration reform — sparked a backlash from many voters and jeopardized his chances for re-election.

Advocates for immigration changes in Washington and Florida expressed hope on Tuesday that before Martinez leaves office he will broker comprehensive legislation that stiffens border enforcement while giving millions of foreigners a chance to become legal residents and eventually citizens.

"We'll be sad to see him go," said Lynn Tramonte, deputy director of America's Voice, an advocacy group for comprehensive changes. "If he works with Sen. John McCain and their colleagues on the Democratic side, they will be a potent team."

Such groups took heart from the election results and expect action on legislation similar to a bill — sponsored by McCain and Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., with help from Martinez — that nearly passed in 2006.

Those who oppose what they call "amnesty" for illegal immigrants were delighted by Martinez's decision. Many had been gearing up to defeat him in 2010.

"The real issue is who will replace him," said David Caulkett, founder of Floridians for Immigration Enforcement, based in Pompano Beach. "We need someone who supports the citizens of Florida and their revolt against amnesty."

Martinez played a significant role on energy legislation by brokering a deal in 2006 that allowed expansion of offshore drilling but sheltered a vast expanse off the western shores of Florida from oil and gas rigs.

He teamed up with fellow Florida Sen. Bill Nelson to form an effective good-cop, bad-cop tactic. While Nelson rallied fellow Democrats and threatened to filibuster, Martinez played the quiet persuader who gently drew Republicans toward a compromise.

Martinez's brokering skills also may be tested if Obama and Democrats in Congress try to lift the ban on travel by Americans to Cuba or try to ease other parts of the U.S. embargo.

The senator has backed the tough stance of President George W. Bush, who tightened the embargo. But backers of change hope Martinez, freed from re-election worries, will revise his position.

"I hope he is in tune with the winds of change," said Silvia Wilhelm, of Miami, executive director of the Cuban-American Commission for Family Rights. "He has family in Cuba, so he is personally affected. He now has a chance to rise above politics and do what is right for Cuban-Americans and the Cuban people."

Martinez' public role may not end when he leaves the Senate.

"Sometimes you can be a better advocate from the outside," said Mary Giovagnoli of the National Immigration Forum. "He has taken tough stands not always popular with the party. I expect him to show that kind of leadership wherever he is."

William E. Gibson can be reached at wgibson@sun-sentinel.com or 202-824-8256 in Washington. His blog Juice can be found at SunSentinel.com/juice.