While both Mel Martinez and Betty Castor have launched new commercials, they haven't agreed to terms for a series of TV debates.
By ANITA KUMAR
Published September 18, 2004
U.S. Senate candidate Mel Martinez began airing his first television ads of the general election campaign Friday, focusing on his journey from a child in communist Cuba to a member of President Bush's Cabinet.
The ad, airing in Tampa and Orlando, is similar to one the Republican candidate ran during the primary but does not include as many references to the president.
The biographical ad alludes to how Martinez came to the United States at age 15, taught himself English and worked to help his parents in Cuba.
"No special privileges, just hard work," the announcer says. "A community leader, Little League coach to the President's cabinet."
Martinez, who served as Bush's housing chief, will begin airing other ads statewide in the next few weeks.
His opponent, Betty Castor, began airing ads Monday in Orlando and Tampa and plans to expand them to six markets Monday when she will introduce a new ad that compares her and Martinez on the issues.
Both Martinez and Castor, a former state education commissioner, call Central Florida home.
The two candidates also are negotiating which televised debates they will commit to between now and the Nov. 2 election.
Castor's campaign said she has committed to at least four debates throughout the state but that Martinez has not agreed to any.
Castor spokesman Dan McLaughlin said Martinez is imposing conditions on the debates, including rejecting the use of Meet the Press moderator Tim Russert in an October NBC debate.
"The man is afraid to be questioned by Tim Russert," McLaughlin said.
Jennifer Coxe, a Martinez spokeswoman, said the campaign has accepted all invitations but Martinez would prefer to have a Florida journalist ask questions instead of Russert, who has moderated other Florida debates.
Coxe said the campaign will let the host, WFLA-Ch. 8 in Tampa, decide on a moderator.
