I wouldn’t either, but as a symbolic vote, let Martinez take it. He is not running for reelection and you can bet that this vote will be used against Corker in the future. It just seems like a dumb thing to do. I mean, did he draw the short straw or something.
I have no clue why he was picked, but you are correct on Martinez. Corker needs to get out it was procedural. If I was him, I would make a major announcement tomorrow when I voted against the bill and make sure it made every newspaper and news program in TN.
It would have been a dumb thing, but he did NOT do it, according to the Senate Roll Call Vote.