Rep. Trey Radel (R-FL) Will Resign His Seat Effective Today … In Wake of Misdemeanor Possession of Cocaine in November 2013

The Politico is reporting that Rep. Trey Radel (R-FL) will resign from Congress on Monday. Reuters is confirming the story as well, that Republican U.S. Representative Trey Radel, who was charged in November with buying cocaine, plans to resign from Congress, effective Monday.

Sadly, Radel has blown his political career up his nose … Although I guess it would have been acceptable if he was caught smoking pot and Barack Obama had stated that there is no difference between cocaine and alcohol.

The first-term Republican plans to send a letter to Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) Monday, sources said.

It’s up to Florida Republican Gov. Rick Scott to schedule a special election for Radel’s seat. His southwest Florida district is solidly Republican — Mitt Romney won the district with 61 percent of the vote.

The race for Radel’s seat had begun even before he decided to resign. Republican Paige Kreegel, a former state representative, has already launched a campaign for the 19th district. Kreegel, who finished third to Radel in a 2012 primary, has drawn the support of a super PAC, which has raised $1 million with the intention of helping him win the seat.

As Hot Air opines, “most Republicans wanted him gone after the arrest. Instead, Radel insisted that he would hold his seat after going through rehab. Unless I missed a memo, there hasn’t been any unusual events surrounding his return this month. Perhaps Radel found his welcome back to the caucus chillier than Polar Vortex I or II.” Touche. Let’s hope Obamacare covers drug rehab.