Updated Mon., Jan. 27, 12 p.m. EST: Rep. Trey Radel has officially sent in his letter of resignation to House Speaker John Boehner. In the brief letter, Radel spoke of his “personal struggles” that had “serious consequences” that pushed him to resign.
“It is my belief that professionally I cannot fully and effectively serve as a United States Representative to the place I love and call home, Southwest Florida,” he wrote, according to a copy of the letter obatined by Talking Points Memo. Radel’s resignation will be effective as of 6:30 p.m. EST Monday.
The Republican also sent resignation notices to Florida’s Secretary of State Ken Detzner and Gov. Rick Scott.
Earlier:
Radel is expected to resign from Congress on Monday, according to Politico. The news comes only two months after the conservative congressman was caught buying cocaine from an undercover federal agent in Washington, D.C.’s Dupont Circle.
Radel, who was sentenced only to a year of minimally supervised probation and a small fine, the self-proclaimed “hip-hop” congressman returned to his post in Congress after the winter recess, following a short leave of absence. To date, Radel had all but ignored calls for him to resign after the scandal.
According to Politico, Radel is planning to send a letter to House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Monday, and the ball will be in Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s hands to schedule a special election to fill his seat.
Even before rumors of the congressman’s resignation began to circle, his seat was already a target, with fellow Republican Paige Kreegel launching a campaign. Kreegel lost to Radel in the 2012 primary, but now, thanks to the support of a super PAC, he has about $1 million to help him win the distinctly Republican district, Politico reports.
Other expected contenders include Majority Leader of the Florida Senate Lizbeth Benacquisto and former Rep. Connie Mac, who had the seat prior to Radel. Both are Republicans.
Read more at Politico and Talking Points Memo.