MELQUIADES RAFAEL MARTINEZ
Name: Melquíades Rafael Martínez
Born: 23 October 1946 Sagua La Grande, Cuba
Melquíades Rafael "Mel" Martínez (born October 23, 1946) is currently the junior
United States Senator from Florida and served as General Chairman of the
Republican Party from November, 2006 until October 19, 2007. Previously,
Martinez served as the 12th Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under
President George W. Bush. Martinez is a Cuban-American and Catholic. He
announced he was resigning as Chairman of the Republican National Committee on
October 19, 2007.
Martinez resigned his cabinet post on December 12, 2003 to run for the open U.S.
Senate seat in Florida being vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Bob Graham.
Martinez secured the Republican nomination and narrowly defeated the Democratic
nominee, Betty Castor. His election made him the first Cuban-American to serve
in the U.S. Senate. Furthermore, he and Ken Salazar are the first Hispanic U.S.
Senators since 1977. They were joined by Bob Menendez in January 2006.
Name: Melquíades Rafael Martínez
Born: 23 October 1946 Sagua La Grande, Cuba
Melquíades Rafael "Mel" Martínez (born October 23, 1946) is currently the junior
United States Senator from Florida and served as General Chairman of the
Republican Party from November, 2006 until October 19, 2007. Previously,
Martinez served as the 12th Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under
President George W. Bush. Martinez is a Cuban-American and Catholic. He
announced he was resigning as Chairman of the Republican National Committee on
October 19, 2007.
Martinez resigned his cabinet post on December 12, 2003 to run for the open U.S.
Senate seat in Florida being vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Bob Graham.
Martinez secured the Republican nomination and narrowly defeated the Democratic
nominee, Betty Castor. His election made him the first Cuban-American to serve
in the U.S. Senate. Furthermore, he and Ken Salazar are the first Hispanic U.S.
Senators since 1977. They were joined by Bob Menendez in January 2006.