Former mayor Raul Martinez announces challenge to Diaz-Balart

[babylonsister]

Martinez announces challenge to Diaz-Balart
By Ian Swanson
Posted: 01/22/08 02:12 PM

Former Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez announced Tuesday he will challenge longtime GOP Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), setting up a titanic battle in Miami-Dade County likely to focus on U.S. foreign policy toward Cuba.

The long-rumored candidacy of Martinez means Miami-Dade County will see a race between two Cuban émigrés and well-known, colorful politicians. Eight television stations covered Martinez’s announcement Tuesday morning, according to one source who attended the press conference.

In addition to the debate about Cuba, the race should focus on Martinez’s colorful and licentious past.

Florida Republicans immediately attacked Martinez, a Democrat, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). In a release, they predicted a contentious race, “considering Raul Martinez has a history of corruption and indecency.”

Martinez was convicted in 1991 on federal extortion charges. He appealed, and two subsequent trials ended in hung juries.

more...

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/martinez-announces-challenge-to-diaz-balart-2008-01-22.html

[Scurrilous]

1. Great news!

Raul Martinez is very popular and stands a good chance of unseating Lincoln Diaz-Balart. :thumbsup:

[babylonsister]

4. I thought at first glance it was good news, but didn't know how

Floridians felt about his prior record. I guess hung juries mean he's not (necessarily) guilty.
Any strong competition will be welcome!

[SteppingRazor]

2. Kudos to him for trying, but he's in for a very, very tough race.

The Diaz-Balarts are incredibly politically powerful in South Florida, Lincoln's district is extremely Republican, and Martinez has more than a few skeletons in the closet.

[cali]

3. good. I'd love to see Diaz-Balart out

though I have a feeling he's gonna be hard to beat. I'm always amused when I remember that he's the nephew (by marriage) of Castro.

[Orangepeel]

5. ooh... that race will be vicious

Martinez probably won't win, but I'll bet Diaz-Balart gets at least a little bloody on his way to re-election.