Another Republican quitter: Martinez tells supporters he's resigning

GOP Senator leaves seat more than a year before his term ends

WASHINGTON - Republican Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida said Friday he will resign from the Senate as soon as a replacement can be appointed, leaving the seat more than a year before his term ends.

Martinez, the only Hispanic Republican in the Senate, revealed his plans in a statement to supporters and was expected to publicly announce the decision Friday afternoon in Florida.

The first-term senator already had announced in December that he would not seek re-election in 2010, but had fended off rumors that he would give up the seat early.

His decision puts Republican Gov. Charlie Crist — who is running to replace him — in charge of filling the seat in the interim. Crist said Friday as he boarded a plane to Tampa that he would not appoint himself, but declined to discuss the issue further.

In a letter to friends and supporters obtained by The Associated Press, Martinez says he's stepping down early for personal reasons.

"My priorities have always been my faith, my family and my country, and at this stage in my life, and after nearly 12 years of public service in Florida and Washington, it's time I return to Florida and my family," Martinez wrote.

The note says his resignation will be "effective on a successor taking office to fill out the remainder of my term."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32330983/ns/politics-more_politics/

:P

Usually this happens when they want to appoint someone so they can run as an "incumbent" against a challenger.