CNN reports that Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL), who was not running for re-election in 2010, will resign his seat early.
Republican Gov. Charlie Crist — who is already running for the seat, and is the clear frontrunner in all the polls — will appoint a replacement under Florida law, who will hold the seat through the 2010 election.
For what my advice is worth (which is not much), Crist should appoint somebody other than himself, to serve as a caretaker. The history of governors appointing themselves to the Senate, even seemingly popular governors, is simply awful, and usually results in defeats for themselves and their parties at the next election.
Late Update: Martinez has made it official.
