Martinez Quits Top RNC Post After 10 Months

Mel Martinez has quit as RNC general chairman after only 10 months in the post. The US  Senator from Florida, a Cuban refugee, publicly split with GOP hardliners over immigration reform. Martinez was also left to explain why the party’s presidential hopefuls were no-shows at a bilingual forum, the Washington Post reports.

“Now is this a rejection of Hispanic voters?” Martinez asked rhetorically at the time. “Of course not. And I hope it’s not seen that way.” The Politico reports Martinez may have bigger fish to fry: He's facing a tough challenge for his seat. The first-termer has a 37% approval rating, the lowest since his 2004 election. (More GOP stories.)