bnelson44
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 Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 6:48 am Post subject: Mel Martinez to endorse McCain |
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U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez will endorse Republican presidential candidate
John McCain later today, according to a person close to McCain's
campaign.
Martinez will announce the endorsement at a meeting of the Latin
Builders Association in Miami, which McCain is scheduled to address
at 4:45 p.m.
A former Orange County mayor, Martinez is popular with Cuban-American
voters who are a crucial voting bloc in Florida GOP elections. He
also spent 10 months as chairman of the Republican National Committee
before stepping down in October.
McCain is locked in a tight race with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt
Romney in Florida and his campaign is banking on strong support from
Cuban-American voters to help McCain squeeze through. McCain already
boasts endorsements from all three Cuban-American members of
Florida's U.S. House delegation. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani,
who polls show is slipping, is also hoping to do particularly well
among Cuban-American voters.
Martinez should also help McCain in Central Florida, where McCain
lacks a natural base. McCain was also endorsed earlier this week by
current Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty, who succeeded Martinez in
the region's most powerful post.
UPDATE: A second source close to the campaign confirmed the news.
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2008/01/mel-martinez-to.html |
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