- Born
- Robert "Bob' Martinez was born in Tampa, Florida, the grandson of Spanish immigrants, he obtained his undergraduate degree in Social Science at the University of Tampa in 1957, then earned a Masters degree, in "labor and industrial relations" from the University of Illinois in 1964. Returning to Tampa, Martinez taught social studies at Oak Grove Junior High and Chamberlain High School. Martinez became the head of the local teachers' union in 1966 until 1975. That year Martinez bought the well-known and popular Café Sevilla Spanish Restaurant in Tampa. Governor Rubin Askew also appointed him to the Southwest Florida Water Management District governing board later that year, serving until he ran successfully for mayor of Tampa in 1979.
In 1986, he resigned as Mayor to run for governor of Florida as a Republican. Upon winning, he became the first, and so far, only Hispanic to serve as governor. In 1989, Governor Martinez ordered state prosecutors to determine whether Miami-area rappers 2 Live Crew's album "Nasty as They Wanna Be" violated Florida obscenity laws. This resulted in record store owners being arrested for selling the album. Later members of the group were also arrested after a concert, but were eventually acquitted.
After his term as Governor, President George Bush appointed Martinez as Director, the "Drug Czar", of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, a cabinet position, where he succeeded William Bennett, serving until January 20, 1993.
Since then Martinez returned to Tampa working as a consultant for businesses and a trustee to various local nonprofit groups involved way with education.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Marshall P. Smith - Bob Martinez is a retired American politician who became the first person of Spanish descent to be elected to the office of Governor of Florida. He was the state's 40th governor and held the office from 1987 to 1991. Earlier, he was twice elected mayor of Tampa, an office he held from 1979 to 1986. After serving as governor, he was appointed as the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Martinez held that position from 1991 until 1993, when he returned to Tampa.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Tango Papa
- SpouseMary Jane Marino(1954 - ?) (2 children)
- Bob Martinez is a political analysts for a local television station "Bay News 9" in Tampa, Florida.
- With wife Mary Jane has two children. A daughter named Sharon Marie, the mother of identical twins, Emily Ida and Lydia Marie, and son, Robert Alan, the father of Robert Alejandro and Christine Ysabel.
- During a month's filming at Key West for Licence to Kill (1989) the Governor, Bob Martinez presented Albert R. Broccoli, Michael G. Wilson and head of marketing Charles Juroe each with "The Great Seal of the State of Florida". The Governor also won a walk-on part in the film as a customs officer at the airport.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content