Martinez wins major Republican endorsement in bid for U.S. Senate

[JohnLocke]

Martinez wins major Republican endorsement in bid for U.S. Senate
By William E. Gibson and Mark Hollis -- Sun-Sentinel
Tuesday, June 8, 2004
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WASHINGTON · U.S. Senate candidate Mel Martinez got an unusually early boost from a key Republican leader on Monday, signaling a decision by the national GOP establishment to unite behind a White House favorite in the party's tight primary campaign in Florida.
The signal came in the form of Sen. George Allen, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, who endorsed Martinez and added a $5,000 contribution from his "leadership account."
The endorsement underscored the importance of the Florida race in the nationwide struggle for majority control of the Senate, and it comes during an especially divisive period on the Democratic side of the race to replace retiring Sen. Bob Graham.
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Martinez's chief Republican rival called it a sign of desperation.
"Sen. George Allen's decision to pick sides in a Republican primary clearly indicates the Martinez campaign is faltering and in desperate need of propping up from their only source of support, inside the Beltway," said Matt Williams, campaign manager for Senate candidate Bill McCollum, a former congressman from Central Florida.
While Martinez struggled to unite Republicans behind him, some Democrats competing for the Senate seat continued to reopen old wounds from the 2000 campaign.
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In an e-mail Saturday to The Miami Herald, Gore also touted U.S. Rep. Peter Deutsch of Fort Lauderdale, another Democrat in the race, as a "good friend."
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A spokeswoman for Penelas on Monday insisted that Penelas "supported Gore and did what he could for Al Gore." She also criticized Deutsch for making the matter a campaign issue and released videotaped statements by Deutsch urging Democrats to accept Bush as a "legitimate president."
"While Peter Deutsch is out there attacking fellow Democrats, the Republicans are gearing up in a concerted effort to try to take over this seat," said Danae Jones, Penelas spokeswoman, referring to Allen's endorsement of Martinez.
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