| Background |
Age: |
58 |
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| Marital Status: |
Married |
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| Religion: |
Christian |
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| Education: |
Law degree from Florida State University |
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| Current Job: |
Unknown |
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| Previous Job: |
HUD Secretary |
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| Previous Elected Office: |
Orlando Housing Autority Chair, Orlando Utilities Commission President; Orange Co. (FL) Chair, 1998-00 |
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| Military Experience: |
Unknown |
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| Financials (provided by Center for Responsive Politics) Last Updated on 2004-08-11 |
Money Raised: |
$4,298,128 |
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| Money Spent: |
$1,950,003 |
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| % Money from PACs: |
8% |
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| Position on Issues |
Stance on Iraq: |
As a US Senator I will support the President’s efforts to target those nations and organizations that sponsor terrorism… (and) Oppose foreign aid to those countries that consistently refuse to support U.S. foreign policies |
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| Abortion: |
I am opposed to abortion. I strongly support |
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| Gun Control: |
As a gun owner, sportsman and as your next United States Senator I will always vote to protect our Second Amendment rights |
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| Capital Punishment: |
Unknown |
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| Same Sex Marriage: |
Unknown |
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| Candidate Bio |
| "The embodiment of the American Dream..." that's how President George W. Bush described Mel Martinez when he nominated him to one of the most important posts in his administration.
President George W. Bush called Mel Martinez to Washington to serve in his Cabinet as the nation's 12th Housing and Urban Development Secretary. After serving three years as the HUD Secretary, Mr. Martinez returned to Florida to seek the Republican nomination for the United States Senate.
Mel took over an embattled agency and quickly became known for cutting millions by eliminating fraud, waste and abuse, and making sure taxpayers' money was being spent responsibly. He became one of the Administration's most vocal supporters by promoting President Bush's economic growth plan that sparked the economy and lets people keep more of what they earn. In addition, Mel led President George W. Bush's Faith-based Initiatives by making HUD one of the first agencies to embrace it.
Prior to serving President George W. Bush in Washington, Mel was the first popularly elected Republican to serve as Orange County Chairman - which is the strong-mayor of one of Florida's largest counties. Elected in 1998 with over 60% of the vote against a popular State Senator, Mel quickly earned a reputation as a bold leader, a tax-cutter, and a champion of law enforcement and education.
During his tenure as Orange County Chairman, Mel Martinez cut property taxes by tens of millions of dollars, increased funding for public safety and instituted what has since become known as the "Martinez Doctrine" - which were unprecedented steps to ensure that development would not continue to put pressure on already crowded schools.
Mel Martinez came to Florida from his native Cuba at age 15 as a part of "Operation Peter Pan," a humanitarian program led by the Catholic Church that helped over 14,000 Cuban children escape Communist Cuba. Martinez lived with foster families for four years until he and his family were reunited in Orlando. When he arrived he came with only one suitcase, the clothes on his back and an enduring love of the game of baseball.
When he was reunited in Orlando with his parents, his brother, Ralph, and his younger sister, Margarita, Mel had already lined up a job for his father who had been a veterinarian in Cuba. Mel had also saved $300.00 -- enough to buy the family a used car. Even though they had not been sure if they would ever see their son again, Mel's mother and father never regretted the day they had decided to send him to freedom in America.
Mel believes that "America is great because it cherishes freedom, protects its people and above all recognizes that people, not governments, make the best decisions for themselves and their families."
Mel graduated from Bishop Moore High School in Orlando and then went to Florida State University in Tallahassee where he worked his way through school and earned his undergraduate and law degrees. Most importantly he met his wife, Kitty, at FSU.
Two of Mel's best friends, whom he met while attending FSU, were John Thrasher and Ken Connor. John would go on to become one of Florida's most respected Speakers of the House of Representatives, while Ken Connor would be Mel's law partner as well as President of Florida Right to Life and the Washington DC based Family Research Council.
After receiving his undergraduate degree, Mel worked for then Secretary of State Tom Adams. It was in this office that Mel Martinez first met the man who hired him, Jim Smith, who has since commendably served Florida as Attorney General and Secretary of State.
Upon graduating from Law School Mel returned to Orlando - the community that adopted him years earlier - and went to work with a law firm that included Orlando's legendary Mayor, Bill Frederick.
Eager to give back to the community that had provided opportunities for him, Mel became involved in various youth, business and civic organizations. Mel served on numerous Boards including: Chairman of the Orlando Housing Authority, Chairman of the Orlando Utilities Commission, Vice Chairman of Catholic Charities and many others. He even shared his love of baseball by coaching Little League.
During the 1996 election cycle he served as a statewide Co-Chair for Bob Dole's Presidential campaign and was a Dole delegate to Presidency III in Orlando. He also served as Co-Chair of the Bush for President campaign in 2000, a Bush delegate to the Republican National Convention and was a Presidential Elector. After being elected Orange County Chairman in 1998, Governor Jeb Bush appointed him as Chairman of the Growth Management Study Commission.
Mel and his wife of 33 years, Kitty, have 3 children and 2 grandchildren, and are active members of St. James Cathedral Parish in Orlando.
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