The only Democrat in a statewide office in the Sunshine State, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, will not be seeking the Senate seat being vacated by Mel Martinez in 2010. That’s according to the Miami Herald, which points out that the field is now open to less-known donkeys.

Sink, the only statewide officeholder on the Democratic shortlist, was seen as the party’s strongest contender for the seat to be vacated by Mel Martinez in 2010. She was being recruited by the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee and Emily’s List, a national fundraising group that backs female candidates.

Sink’s decision means she is likely to pursue her real ambition, which is to run for governor — most likely in 2014 when term limits will force Charlie Crist to step down.

The only declared candidate thus far is U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek (D), an African-American liberal representing much of Miami. Meek replaced in mother, Carrie Meek, after she retired from that seat in 2002. The Florida 17 seat has basically been represented by one of the two since 1992.

There are two Republicans seen as their party’s frontrunners for the seat (if they ever declare): Marco Rubio and Bill McCollum. Rubio, a former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, is a popular Cuban-American conservative who has written editorials for the Miami Herald on occasion.

McCollum is Florida’s Attorney General and formerly represented Florida’s 8th district in the U.S. House of Representatives. McCollum, however, has twice lost bids for the U.S. Senate. He also served as Florida Chairman of the Giuliani presidential campaign.