AM850.com

Earlier this morning United States Senator Mel Martinez announced in Orlando that he is retiring. Martinez will not be running for a second term in the 2010election. Alachua County Republican State Committee woman Meldrid Russell was suprised at this announcement. Russell says although she didn't agree with all of Martinez's decisions, he still did a good job representing Florida. Alachua County Democratic party representative Jon Reiskind was also not expecting to hear news about Martinez's retirement. Reiskind says this will change the game of the election four years from now. Martinez announced his retirement two years early so candidates have enough time to prepare for their campaigns.