Republican officials say HUD secretary might make a run for the Senate
DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent Wednesday, November 12, 2003
(11-12) 19:16 PST WASHINGTON (AP) --
HUD Secretary Mel Martinez, who ruled out a Senate race last June, is reconsidering in the wake of a fresh appeal from the White House and intends to announce his plans shortly, Republican officials said Wednesday night.
"I know he's thinking seriously about the U.S. Senate," said Jim Smith, Florida's former attorney general and secretary of state who said he had spoken with Martinez earlier in the day. "I think he's still going back and forth, but I know he likes being in public service."
Other officials said Martinez also has held recent discussions with Sen. George Allen, R-Va., chairman of the Senate GOP campaign committee.
Martinez, the Cuban-born former chief executive of Orange County, could not be reached for comment. He announced last summer he would remain in Bush's Cabinet through the 2004 election. (snip/...)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/11/12/national2216EST0844.DTL
Mel