Florida's Senior Senator Praises Martinez, Stays Quiet About Possible Candidates In 2010

Press Release

U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez's announcement this morning that he won't seek re-election in two years was followed by laudatory words from Florida's senior Sen. Bill Nelson who stayed quiet on Democrats who might line up to run for what will be an open seat.

Nelson, following a previously scheduled speech in St. Petersburg, deflected questions about who he might support for the post and insisted that thanking Martinez for his many years of public service be the topic instead.

"Mel has been a good friend, a good Senate colleague, and a good public servant - and I wish him well in the future," said Nelson, who was the keynote speaker Tuesday morning at the commissioning of a new Coast Guard cutter in St. Petersburg.

Martinez was elected to the Senate in 2004 after serving as the U.S. secretary for Housing and Urban Development for President George W. Bush. Interestingly, Martinez and Nelson also are neighbors in the Baldwin Park neighborhood of Orlando.

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