The Republicans named Mel Martinez GOP Party Chairman. He was the first Latino to serve in the Senate. he was charged with campaign violations and forced to pay $99,000 on fines. he attempted to assist Juniorbush with immigration reform, but failed. Then he resigned from the Senate and went off to become a lobbyist for JP Morgan.
Martinez was apparently not good at raising money for the GOP. It was pretty clear that the party adopted him as a token (must as Steele the Black Gut was a token) and when he could not deliver the $$$ it was adios Martinez.
Rubio was some sort of high muckymuck in the Clown College known as the Florida State legislature. Lacking a token after hosing martinez, Rubio became the next GOP Token Latino. He was given the job of drawing up an immigration bill, which he did. But then the GOP rejected his plan and sent him off to sit in the corner.
The Republican Party of Florida is among the worst agglomeration of assholes in the known universe.