As expected, Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.) announced at a news conference Tuesday morning in Miami that he will seek the Senate seat of retiring Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) in 2010.

“Never in my lifetime have the people of Florida been faced with so many big problems,” Meek said in a press conference this morning. “Our state needs bold leadership at every level, and that … is why I’ve made the decision to run as a candidate for the United States Senate.”

While Meek is the first to officially announce, many Democratic insiders are waiting to see whether popular Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink (D) will get into the race.

Meek, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, is serving his fourth term in the House. First elected in 2002, he succeeded his mother, former Rep. Carrie Meek (D). If he wins, he would be the first African-American elected to statewide office in the Sunshine State.

Other potential Democratic candidates include Reps. Allen Boyd and Ron Klein. Potential Republican contenders include Reps. Vern Buchanan, Mario Diaz-Balart and Connie Mack IV, former state Speakers Allan Bense and Marco Rubio, and state Attorney General Bill McCollum.