Mel Martinez (R-FLA) is resigning from the Senate. Not in a "not seeking reelection sense," but in a "not coming back from the recess" sense. Why? The dreaded "family reasons."

"My priorities have always been my faith, my family and my country, and at this stage in my life, and after nearly 12 years of public service in Florida and Washington, it's time I return to Florida and my family," Martinez wrote.

So... someone has his IM transcripts with Mark Foley? Or someone is dying, maybe? Who knows.

Martinez is not very popular in Florida, because he's too conservative, and he's not very popular among Republicans in the Senate, because he's unable to vote to kick the Mexicans out or against Wise Latinas.

Now Charlie Crist will have to appoint someone to the seat that he is running for himself next year.

Send an email to Alex Pareene, the author of this post, at alexp@gawker.com.