Raul Martinez to help make Dems case

Democrats have picked Democratic congressional hopeful and former Hialeah mayor Raul Martinez to help them make their case for relevancy next month in DC.

Democratic National Committee member Jon Ausman, who filed the appeal asking the national party to recognize Florida's Jan. 29 presidential primary, said he's asked Martinez, a Hillary Clinton supporter and Janee Murphy, a Barack Obama supporter from Tampa to help him make his case May 31 before the national party's rules and bylaws committee. Ausman, a onetime Dennis Kucinich supporter, is uncommitted.

The move is sure to boost Martinez's national profile as he challenges Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, R-Miami, for re-election. Ausman noted Martinez "has already raised a large treasury and is a very credible candidate."

More on the appeal here.