Doc wants vacant U.S.Senate seat

Dr. Julio Gonzalez, a Venice orthopaedic surgeon and a relatively unknown Republican in political circles, has officially applied for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Orlando.

He tells Coffee Talk that his motivation is simple. Says Gonzalez: “The issue of the eroding ability of doctors to maintain autonomy in the way they treat patients and the increasing burden in practicing medicine.”

Gonzalez says he's the perfect candidate because he understands the health reform issues and has made it clear that he has no sights on running for the seat in 2010. Gonzalez, who says it has pretty much been an individual effort so far, is using his connections with the Florida Medical Association and other medical groups to inundate the governor's office with letters and emails asking Gov. Charlie Crist to appoint a physician to the seat.