Former U.S. Rep. Clay Shaw, R-Fort Lauderdale, said he would "appreciate being asked" to replace Mel Martinez.

"At this point, I wouldn't want to comment on it unless it was offered to me," he said in a telephone interview. "It would certain be a chance from what I'm doing, I'm going back into court mediation. We'd have to think long and hard about it but I would appreciate being asked."

On Martinez's decision, Shaw said it seems obvious: "He's homesick."

"It's understandable. It's a good life in Florida and the atmosphere in Washington has gotten so vicious."