Republican U.S. Senator Mel Martinez Endorses Bale Dalton for Congress

“I believe the choices we make at this moment should reflect our shared values and rise above partisan politics.”

SANFORD, FL – Today, Republican former Senator Mel Martinez announced his endorsement for Navy combat veteran and former NASA Chief of Staff Bale Dalton. Dalton is running to replace disgraced Congressman Cory Mills in Florida’s 7th Congressional District.  

“The desire to give back drove me to public service, and I see that same commitment in Bale Dalton,” said Martinez. “He has served our country in uniform, helped fellow veterans access the services they deserve, and supported central Florida’s space economy. I believe the choices we make at this moment should reflect our shared values and rise above divisive partisan politics. I am proud to endorse Bale Dalton because he understands the responsibility of serving all central Floridians.”

Martinez served as Florida’s Republican U.S. Senator from 2005 to 2009, becoming the first Cuban American elected to the U.S. Senate. Before his time in the Senate, Martinez served as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President George W. Bush and as Chairman of Orange County, Florida.

“The only letters next to my name that matter on the ballot are ‘FL.’ I am running for central Floridians, not one person or political party,” said Dalton. “I am grateful for Senator Martinez’s endorsement and hope to follow his legacy of leadership defined by putting our community first and reaching across the aisle to better serve Floridians.”

Download the endorsement videos in English and Spanish here.

ABOUT BALE DALTON: 

Bale Dalton is a decorated Navy Reserve Captain and former NASA Chief of Staff who has always answered the call to serve America. One of four raised in a hardworking Central Florida family, Bale graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and has served in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve for 24 years. He deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, and the Pacific, flying Navy helicopters and directing air combat support with Navy SEALs in Afghanistan.

Following active duty, he worked for Senator Bill Nelson, helping Florida veterans access the care and benefits they had earned. After an additional stint on active duty, Bale returned to government service as NASA Chief of Staff. At NASA, he managed 16,500 employees and helped run one of the federal government’s most effective agencies.

After a lifetime of service, Bale is now running to represent his home, Florida’s 7th Congressional District, in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

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