Mel Martinez to Retire from Senate

December 02, 2008 11:22 AM

ABC News’ Rick Klein, Teddy Davis and Z. Byron Wolf Report: Florida Republican sources tell ABC News that Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., will announce his retirement from the Senate Tuesday, creating another highly competitive open Senate seat for Republicans to defend in 2010.

"I never sought to be in public life all my life," Martinez said at a press conference in Flordia Tuesday in which he discussed his recent decision.  "At some point you recognize it is time for you to go back to private life ... So it is not about a moment of revelation, but going back to who you are and who you want to be."

Martinez, a former Bush administration Cabinet secretary, has struggled with low approval ratings since winning a narrow race in 2004, and was high on Democrats’ target lists going into the next election cycle.

The St. Petersburg Times is reporting that Martinez may resign his seat before the 2010 elections, giving Gov. Charlie Crist, R-Fla., the chance to name a replacement who would have the advantages of incumbency in 2010. But one Republican source tells ABC that such a scenario is not being contemplated, and that Martinez intends to complete his term.