Sen. Martinez Won’t Seek Re-Election in 2010

Susan Davis reports on politics. Florida Republican Mel Martinez today was the first senator to announce he will not seek re-election in 2010, after serving only a single six-year term in the chamber. The announcement is a double blow to the Republican Party as Martinez was one of the GOP’s most prominent Hispanic leaders at a time when the party is losing broad support among Hispanic voters. His retirement is also likely to prompt a tough battle for a Senate seat Martinez won with just 49% in 2004, in a state President-elect Barack Obama won in 2008 against John McCain . As Politicker.com notes , Martinez’s retirement is a reminder that the political landscape for Senate Republicans in 2010 might be only slightly more hospitable than it was in 2008. The party has lost 13 Senate seats since 2006, and in 2010 Republicans will have 19 seats up for re-election compared to 16 seats for Democrats. Democrats have so far gained seven seats this year, for a 58 seat majority, ... (link)