Jan 22, 2008 7:53 pm US/Eastern
Raul Martinez Announces Bid For U.S. Congress
HIALEAH (CBS4) ―
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Former Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez announces his bid for a US Rep. Seat. He'll run against Lincoln Diaz-Balart of District 21.
CBS
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U.S. Congressman Lincoln Diaz Balart
U.S. Congressman Lincoln Diaz Balart/CBS
Former Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez, 58, said on Tuesday, in front of Hialeah City Hall, that he will run against U.S. Representative Lincoln Diaz-Balart, 53, in Congress.
"My candidacy is about my district, the 21st District, not about partisan politics," Martinez said. "We have seen skyrocketing costs and the lack of health care service. We have seen a huge increase in mortgage foreclosures. We can no longer stand and not do something about it."
The Democrat, who has kept a low profile after leaving Hialeah's political arena more than two years ago, has had the long-time support of the city's heavily Republican Cuban voting bloc; Diaz-Balart is a Republican.
About his opponent, he added, "
For 15 years, he has been in Washington ingratiating himself for may be other endeavors we don't know about, but he has not cared about District 21." In the 1980's Martinez was convicted in a corruption case involving his dealings with developers. That conviction was subsequently reversed by an appellate court, and ultimately led to two mistrials. The charges were eventually dropped and Martinez remained Hialeah's mayor until 2005 when he left office to spend more time with his family.
In another incident, Martinez was captured on video allegedly hitting a man during a protest. Despite that, his support in Hialeah politics was almost unwavering.
Diaz Balart has represented the 21st congressional district, which encompasses western Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Miami Lakes, Hialeah and Doral south to Kendall for the last 15 years.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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