Mel Martinez Banks on Hispanic Vote in Senate Bid

[Freddie Stubbs]

June 3, 2004

Marcela Cortes

Former Housing Secretary Mel Martinez is counting on his fellow Cuban-Americans in South Florida and the big Orlando-area Puerto Rican community he once served to push him to victory in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate race.

"The campaign has gained impetus, and the Hispanic community is rallying around us," Martinez said in an interview with EFE. "We're progressing a lot, and fast."

Martinez, 57, stressed the importance to his Senate bid of the Hispanic vote in the south and central parts of the state.

"We've got a great advantage with the Hispanic community's support," he said. "We're counting on the backing of Cubans in South Florida and Puerto Ricans in the center of the state who know me from when I was in Orange County."

more: http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/newsbyid.asp?id=16451