Senate race in Florida in 2010 is wide open: Mel Martinez won't run, nor will Alex Sink

The news just broke that U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) has decided not to run for a second term in 2010, in order to -- you guessed it -- spend more time with his family.

Just the other day, I made the case for state CFO Alex Sink to run for this seat rather than for the governorship, but that's apparently off the table as well.

So now what?

On the Democratic side, look for some up-and-comers to consider a run, like state senators Dan Gelber and Dave Aronberg. Unlike some, I don't see Rep. Ron Klein or Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz making a serious run for the gig, simply because I don't think they'd be very strong candidates statewide and they have more potential for leadership in the House (although Klein is being targeted heavily by the GOP for 2010).

For the GOP, I wouldn't be surprised to see Bill McCollum take another crack at it (although he really just needs to sit down and shut up). Also possible: former state House speaker Marco Rubio and maybe even state Sen. Jeff Atwater, if he's willing to give up his Senate leadership position so soon.

No matter what happens, though, with an open seat, there are sure to be suitors aplenty. The silly season is barely over, but here in America's Wang™, it seems to be starting up all over again already.

UPDATE (12:22 pm 12/2/08): TheHill.com suggests other possible candidates, like Democratic congresspersons Allen Boyd, Robert Wexler, and Kathy Castor.

Boyd's too blue-dog to be a viable candidate, and as much as I love Wexler, he would have the same problem, in my opinion, as Klein and Wasserman Schultz: no following statewide. Castor? As Sarah Palin might say, let me get back to you on that one ...

(cross-posted at FPC Blog)