Bob Martinez

Robert " Bob" Martinez ( born December 25, 1934 in Tampa, Florida) is an American politician. He held office from 1987 to 1991 as the 40th Governor of the State of Florida.

Early years and political rise

Bob Martinez attended until 1957, the University of Florida. He then studied at the University of Illinois. Focus of this study was the relationship between workers and employers in the industrial sector. In the late 1960s he was head of a teachers' union in Tampa. In this role, he led a strike of teachers against the city. In 1979 he was elected mayor of Tampa. This office he retained until his election as governor in 1986. Three years earlier, he had left the Democratic Party and became a member of the Republicans. His new party nominated him for the 1986 gubernatorial elections. These elections won Martinez with 54.6 % of the vote to Democrat Steve Pajcic.

Governor of Florida

Martinez was the first and only governor of Florida with Latino of any race. His four-year term began on 6 January 1987. As Governor, he continued the environmental policies of his predecessor Bob Graham. In the field of water protection he was particularly successful. For the many lakes and rivers of the state specific laws were enacted against all kinds of contamination. He campaigned for the conservation of endangered species. In addition, laws were enacted against wastes, and the governor led a fight against drug abuse in the country.

At times, Martinez was as a new rising star in the Republican Party. However, his popularity suffered a dramatic setback when he tried to introduce a tax on services. This was very unpopular in Florida and had to be taken back. Two years later he campaigned for tougher laws against abortions, which again met in Florida with strong resistance. His poll numbers plummeted to 24%. So it was not surprising that he lost the elections in 1990 against his Democratic challenger Lawton Chiles.

More career

After the end of his tenure, Martinez was U.S. President George Bush to head the National Drug Authority (Office of National Drug Control Policy ) appointed. This office with cabinet rank he held until the end of Bush's term in January 1993 Today, Martinez is a political advisor to a renowned law firm. ; he comments on political events for a local television station and is curator of the University of Florida. He also still holds some honorary posts in some schools. Bob Martinez is married and father of two children.