By Karen Lee Ziner
Journal Staff Writer

Ramon Martinez, president of the Hispanic advocacy group Progreso Latino, said he will announce Friday his intent to pursue "national endeavors" that could be political in nature.

Martinez said he would "neither confirm nor deny" rumors that he plans to challenge Rhode Island Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy in the 2010 race for the state's First Congressional District. "I will send out a press release" on Friday, he said, adding, "I have no intentions of running against anyone in particular."

Kennedy, a Democrat, already knows he will face Republican challenger state Rep. John J. Loughlin II, of Tiverton.

Martinez, 56, an Independent, said, "I'm looking at a constellation of options. I will look at political, economic, social - whatever options are available. He added, "I want to ameliorate the conditions in Rhode Island," particularly related to its "economic decline."

Which leads to the question - will Martinez be leaving Progreso Latino, the Central Falls agency that he has headed for three years?

"I'm not saying that yet," said Martinez. He said he is focusing on Progreso Latino's gala event, being held Thursday night at the Westin Hotel in Providence.

Martinez, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, was asked about his political intentions after he spoke Wednesday at the inauguration of the new Immigration Law Clinic at Roger Williams University in Providence.