Mel Martinez is a former United States Senator from Florida and served as Chairman of the Republican Party from November 2006 until October 19, 2007, the first Latino to serve as chairman of a major party. Previously, MartÃnez served as the 12th Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President George W. Bush. MartÃnez is a Cuban-American and Roman Catholic. He announced he was resigning as Chairman of the Republican National Committee on October 19, 2007.