Melquiades Martinez

Born in Sagua La Grande, Cuba in 1946, Melquiades Martinez made history as the first Cuban-American senator, representing Florida from 2005 to 2009. During his tenure, the Republican gained a reputation for working across the aisle, seeking to protect Florida's Gulf Coast from offshore drilling, and finding a middle ground on immigration issues. He was also chairman of the Republican Party, the first Latino to hold the post from 2007 to 2007. He previously served as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, under President George W. Bush, and currently works for JPMorgan Chase. Updated 2010