ultimately dropped the remaining five charges. The Clinton Justice Department then opened a case against Mr. Lehtinen on charges of "misconduct" and potential conflicts of interest for investigating "a potential political rival of his wife." Mr. Lehtinen resigned his position as US Attorney. Congressional election 2008 On January 21, 2008, Martínez announced on the America TeVe show A Mano Limpia his intention to run in the November 2008 election for the Florida 21st congressional district seat held by Republican Lincoln Díaz-Balart. Martinez officially announced his candidacy the following day at the Raul L. Martinez Government Center (Hialeah City Hall). Martinez lost to Díaz-Balart, garnering 42% of the vote. Controversies In June 1999, during a protest of more than 400 people blocking an expressway in Hialeah, the city's then police chief, Rolando Bolanos, was hit in the head with a rock. Bolanos called Martínez to the scene and, during the battle, Martinez punched a butcher, Ernesto Mirabal. Mirabal was charged with battery on an elected official, resisting arrest with violence and inciting a riot. The charges against Mirabel were later dropped. In February 2007, when a "caustic" press release from Florida Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer criticized Hillary Clinton's presence at a fundraiser at the ex-mayor's home, Martinez responded by using profane language. References Footnotes Progresso Weekly article The Miami Herald article "Battle of the Titans: Martinez vs. Díaz-Balart" Alfonso Chardy & Laura Figueroa, Congressional candidates Martinez, Díaz-Balart start swinging, Miami Herald, Jan. 23, 2008 The Miami Herald; Losing Castro Will Redefine Cubans' Issues by Ana Menéndez, January 23, 2008, page 1B The Miami Herald; Martinez Should Run by Alonso R. del Portillo, January 19, 2008, page 26A The Miami Herald; Neither Lehtinen nor Ros Lehtinen responded to Herald phone calls for comment, January 21, 2008 The Miami Herald; Timing of investigation raises questions about 'the motivation of the prosecution February 17, 1991 The Miami Herald; Lehtinen declined to comment about the timing of the investigation. February 17, 1991 The Miami Herald; Lehtinen wanted to neutralize Martínez as a political rival of his wife, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen February 15, 1991 The Miami Herald; Justice Investigating Miami U.S. Attorney for Misconduct April 20, 1990 The Miami Herald; "Martinez insists he is not interested in changing the four-decades' old embargo against Cuba." January 21, 2008 El Nuevo Herald; "The embargo should not be modified in any way" - Raul Martinez, January 21, 2008 Maria