BY LAURA FIGUEROA And BETH REINHARD

Hialeah Housing Authority chief Alex Morales insists that it was his passion for politics that drove him recently to request a computerized list of every voter in the congressional district represented by U.S. Rep. Lincoln Díaz-Balart.

He smirked at the idea that he was doing the bidding of former Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez, who gave him his current job and has openly flirted with challenging Díaz-Balart in the district that spans much of Hialeah and West Miami-Dade and creeps north to Miramar.

''I'm a political scientist,'' Morales said while sipping a cafécito at Maruch Hialeah cafeteria. ``I've been analyzing data for every election in this area of the county for the past 20 years. It's very interesting stuff.''

Martinez denied putting Morales up to it. ''Alex's request had nothing to do with me,'' he said.

Nevertheless, the Dec. 3 public records request is increasing speculation that Martinez hopes to stage a political comeback. Martinez, who left office in 2005, remains beloved by many residents, a feeling nurtured by his frequent appearances at ribbon-cutting ceremonies and other city events.

Díaz-Balart, a political institution in his own right after having served for more than two decades, is braced for a fight. He raised $750,000 as of September and held a major fundraiser last month with his brother, U.S. Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart. His Republican political machine has been digging for dirt on Martinez's business activities and scrutinizing his conviction on federal racketeering and extortion charges in 1991. Martinez successfully appealed, but his messy court record will make him an easy mark for attack ads.

That's why Martinez has said he will take his time deciding whether to run. He has been spotted meeting with Democratic Party leaders and political consultants in Washington and South Florida for months.

The data that Morales requested, which include addresses, political affiliations, racial and ethnic data, gender, age and voting history, is commonly used by candidates to zero in on likely voters for polls and advertising and to identify potential supporters.

''Definitely, by and large, it's going to be a candidate or political action committee requesting this information,'' said Miami-Dade County elections spokeswoman Christina White. ``The reasons that people are using these lists are to go visit prospective voters, to send them campaign materials, to know more information about their target audience in a particular area.''

While Morales insists he does not plan on sharing the voter data with anyone, Díaz-Balart backers say the request is proof that Martinez plans on running for office and is using back doors to get there.

'This is typical Raul Martinez, using a public official to do his dirty work at the taxpayers' expense,'' said Carlos Curbelo, a political consultant who has worked for Díaz-Balart.

Morales said he had the day off from work when he put in the request, pointing to e-mails written alerting staff about his absence as proof that he was not mixing his taxpayer-paid job with his political interests.

Martinez dismissed Curbelo as a political ''hack,'' and said he will make a decision about a congressional campaign when he's ready.

''I haven't made up my mind,'' he said. ``I'm entitled to explore.''