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==Political career==
==Political career==
In 1994, Martinez ran for Lieutenant Governor of Florida. He teamed up with former Family Research Council President [[Ken Connor]], who was the gubernatorial candidate. The Connor/Martinez ticket was defeated in the Republican primary, finishing fifth with 83,945 votes, or 9.31% of the vote. Martinez was the elected Chairman of Orange County, Florida, and served on the Governor's Growth Management Study Commission. He previously served as President of the Orlando Utilities Commission, on the board of directors of a community bank, and as Chairman of the Orlando Housing Authority. In 2000, Martinez was selected as the co-chairman of [[Texas]] [[Governor]] [[George W. Bush]]'s 2000 Presidential campaign in Florida. Bush carried Florida and won the election. In November 2004, Martinez was elected to the United States Senate in Florida. Sen. Martinez announced on December 2, 2008 that he will not seek a second term in 2010, saying he wants to spend more time with his family. <ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Dec02/0,4670,MelMartinez,00.html Sen. Mel Martinez of Fla. won't seek re-election], Brendan Farrington and Mark Wangrin, Associated Press, ''Fox News'', December 02, 2008</ref>
In 1994, Martinez ran for Lieutenant Governor of Florida. He teamed up with former Family Research Council President [[Ken Connor]], who was the gubernatorial candidate. The Connor/Martinez ticket was defeated in the Republican primary, finishing fifth with 83,945 votes, or 9.31% of the vote. Martinez was the elected Chairman of Orange County, Florida, and served on the Governor's Growth Management Study Commission. He previously served as President of the Orlando Utilities Commission, on the board of directors of a community bank, and as Chairman of the Orlando Housing Authority. In 2000, Martinez was selected as the co-chairman of [[Texas]] [[Governor]] [[George W. Bush]]'s 2000 Presidential campaign in Florida. Bush carried Florida and won the election. In November 2004, Martinez was elected to the United States Senate in Florida. Sen. Martinez announced on December 2, 2008 that he will not seek a second term in 2010, saying he wants to spend more time with his family. <ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Dec02/0,4670,MelMartinez,00.html Sen. Mel Martinez of Fla. won't seek re-election], Brendan Farrington and Mark Wangrin, Associated Press, ''Fox News'', December 02, 2008</ref>
Mel Martinez was one of the first Republicans in the Senate to endorse [[President Obama]]'s [[Supreme Court]] nominee [[Sonia Sotomayor]]. <ref>http://www.rollcall.com/news/36930-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS</ref>
==Political views==
==Political views==
With the exception of his stance on immigration, Mel Martinez is known as a strong [[conservative]].
With the exception of his stance on immigration, Mel Martinez is known as a strong [[conservative]]. Throughout his Senate career, he has voted with Republicans 84% of the time. <ref>http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/m001162/</ref>
===[[Abortion]]===
===[[Abortion]]===
Martinez is morally opposed to abortion even in case of rape or incest. He supports education to reduce abortions, and supports the promotion of alternatives such as adoption. In a debate moderated by Tim Russert, Martinez stated the following on [[Roe v. Wade]]:
Martinez is morally opposed to abortion even in case of rape or incest. He supports education to reduce abortions, and supports the promotion of alternatives such as adoption. From 2007-2008 he received a 100% rating from the National Right to Life Committee. <ref>http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=31193</ref> In a debate moderated by [[Tim Russert]], Martinez stated the following on [[Roe v. Wade]]:
"The bottom line is I don't plan on prosecuting anyone. When I go to the United States Senate, I'm going to be confirming judges who will go to the courts, and the courts will deal with the issue. This is not up for a vote by the United States Senate." Adding, "We're far from prosecuting people in this country over that issue."
"The bottom line is I don't plan on prosecuting anyone. When I go to the United States Senate, I'm going to be confirming judges who will go to the courts, and the courts will deal with the issue. This is not up for a vote by the United States Senate." Adding, "We're far from prosecuting people in this country over that issue."
[[Category:United States Senators]]
[[Category:United States Senators]]
[[Category:Republican Party]]
[[Category:Republican Party]]
[[Category: 110th United States Congress]]
[[Category: 111th United States Congress]]