Jax Daily

With Senator Mel Martinez positioned to retire in 2010, potential candidates will need to kick their campaigns into gear in the next few months. But just who is considering a bid for the newly open seat?

South Florida based political blog Politics1.com recaps all of the potential candidates who may try to replace Martinez. Included in this list are many “heavy-hitters” like Jeb Bush, Alex Sink, Bill McCollum and Marco Rubio.

As was rumored for months, US Senator Mel Martinez (R) announced Tuesday he will not seek a second term in 2010. Martinez said he wants to return to Florida and have more time with his family. Had he run again, polls showed Martinez was highly vulnerable — and appeared likely to even face a competitive primary challenge. The retirement may also be good news for the GOP, as the open seat may be easier to defend. With the seat open, a long list of Florida politicos are looking at the race. Former Governor Jeb Bush (R) is reportedly interested. If Bush runs, he would likely have an unobstructed run for the nomination. However, if Bush passes on the race, potential GOP candidates include Attorney General Bill McCollum, former Florida House Speakers Allan Bense and Marco Rubio, and Congressmen Vern Buchanan, Adam Putnam and Connie Mack. Putnam is also considering a run in two years for the open State Agriculture Commissioner post. Dems looking at the Senate seat include State CFO Alex Sink, State Senator Dan Gelber, and Congressmen Alan Boyd, Kendrick Meek and Ron Klein. Sink had planned to announce Tuesday that she would not run for the Senate seat against Martinez — but canceled her announcement to reconsider the race.