Advertisement

Florida Keys county commissioner resigns following domestic violence arrest in Hialeah

Florida Keys County Commissioner Eddie Martinez resigned from office Tuesday, citing “health issues,” Monroe County announced.

His resignation comes a week after he was arrested at a Hialeah house on a domestic abuse charge. Police said he told them he struggles with prescription drugs. Martinez did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Republican was narrowly elected on Nov. 3, 2020, to the Monroe County Commission District 3 in an upset over incumbent Heather Carruthers, a Democrat. District 3 includes the Old Town portion of the city of Key West.

Carruthers sued Martinez shortly after the election, arguing he never lived in the district at any time prior to being elected. The lawsuit is ongoing.

Last Friday night, Martinez informed Gov. Ron DeSantis that he would take a voluntary 30-day leave of absence “to address some personal issues that warrant immediate attention.” Martinez sent the letter hours after the Miami Herald/FLKeysNews.com reported that the majority of his colleagues on the County Commission said it was time for him to resign.

Monroe County Mayor David Rice, who represents the Middle Keys city of Marathon on the commission, said Tuesday he supported Martinez’s decision to resign.

“I’m relieved that he’s taken that step and believe he’s made the right decision and wish him well on his endeavors,” Rice said.

Christine Pushaw, DeSantis’ spokeswoman, told the Miami Herald that the governor would appoint Martinez’s replacement. Interested candidates can apply for the office on the state’s website, Pushaw said. An interim commssioner will serve until a 2022 special election is held that coincides with the normal election cycle — an August primary and November general election, said Kristen Livengood, Monroe County spokeswoman.

Martinez’s annual county commissioner salary was $50,348.

Martinez’s seat is not the only one that will be decided in a special election next year. Commissioner Holly Raschein is representing the Upper Keys District 2 on an interim basis after DeSantis appointed her to replace Mike Forster, who died from COVID-19 complications in September.

Commissioner Michelle Coldiron, who represents the Lower Keys, also called for Martinez to resign last week. She said Tuesday that the move was the only way she felt he would get the proper help.

“It is my utmost desire for Eddie Martinez to overcome his current health problems. I wish the best for him and his family,” Coldiron added. “It is imperative for the residents of Monroe County to have five commissioners devoting their full attention to the important issues confronting us, and I look forward to working with whoever the governor appoints to replace Mr. Martinez.”

Martinez’s wife, Maria Martinez, 46, told Hialeah police her husband woke up last Tuesday in a rage and began throwing things around the room before throwing an empty pill bottle at her face, striking her.

Two of their daughters, ages 13 and 15, told police they saw their father throw the pill bottle at their mother’s face.

The 15-year-old girl said she has performed CPR on her father many times when he overdosed on his prescription drugs, police reported.

Hialeah police said during an interview after the arrest that Eddie Martinez said he struggles with prescription drug use but had denied hitting his wife. Martinez later told the Key West Citizen in a text that he did not tell police he has a problem with prescription pain medication and that he only takes what is prescribed to him by a doctor.

Martinez has had several gallbladder-related surgeries. In court filings, he said he was hospitalized 19 times.

Raschein, whose district includes Key Largo and Islamorada, said Tuesday that Martinez’s resignation spares the county from having to deal with “the turmoil.”

“I hope this incident reminds us all that domestic violence and abuse remains an endemic problem in our community and that we must redouble our efforts to address it,” Raschein said in a text message to the Miami Herald and FLKeysNews. “I wish Eddie and his family the best in finding peace in their lives.”

In addition to his arrest, Martinez is battling the accusations that he didn’t live in the Key West district. Carruthers has a pending lawsuit challenging his residency.

Martinez was one of five commissioners who ran countywide but are required to live in the districts they represent.