Damn. Unpopular Republican Mel Martinez has just announced that he's one-and-done, that he will retire from the U.S. Senate after just one term. This is disappointing news for Democrats given polling numbers displaying Martinez's poor approval rating and relative weakness against potential Democratic challengers. So who might get in the race?
Democratic Reps. Ron Klein and Kendrick Meek as well as state Sen. Dan Gelber are likely to consider the open seat race.
On the Republican side, there may well be a push to recruit former Gov. Jeb Bush into the contest although that seems like a long shot. State Attorney General Bill McCollum will almost certainly be mentioned as will state Senate President Jeff Atwater and former state House speaker Marco Rubio. Reps. Vern Buchanan and Connie Mack also may consider a run.
For Democrats, remember that Florida's Chief Financial Officer, Alex Sink, just announced that she's passing on the race (and this is a rare case where an open seat is less desirable than facing the incumbent, so I doubt Sink would reconsider in light of today's news). Also, expect Congressmen Robert Wexler and Allen Boyd and Congresswoman Kathy Castor to seriously consider a Senate bid. For Republicans, I recall Rubio being discussed as a potential primary opponent against Martinez. Lots of names in an open seat race means lots of jockeying and lots of news - stay tuned.
