Fla. Gov. Charlie Crist says he won’t appoint himself to replace US Sen. Mel Martinez

Fla. gov won’t appoint self to Sen. Martinez seat

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Charlie Crist says he won’t appoint himself to replace Republican Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida.

Crist, also a Republican, made the comment as he boarded a plane to Tampa on Friday but declined to elaborate.

Martinez said Friday he will resign from the Senate as soon as a replacement can be appointed, leaving the seat more than a year before his term ends.

Martinez revealed his plans in a statement to supporters and was expected to publicly announce the decision Friday afternoon in Florida.

The first-term senator already had announced in December that he would not seek re-election in 2010, but he had fended off rumors that he would give up the seat early.

Crist is seeking the Senate seat next year.