U.S. Rep. Trey Radel (R-FL). (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

U.S. Rep. Trey Radel (R-FL). (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Rep. Trey Radel—the freshman Republican from Florida who was caught and charged with possession of cocaine late last year—will resign from Congress today, multiple sources report.

In November, 37-year-old Radel was caught buying cocaine from an undercover federal agent in D.C. and pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor drug charge. Afterwards, he spent nearly a month in rehab and then returned to Congress after the winter recess. In a statement released after his arrest, Radel said he “[struggles] with the disease of alcoholism,” which led to an “extremely irresponsible choice.”

Politico first reported that Radel is expected to send a letter of resignation to House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) today, and Radel’s chief of staff Dave Natonski confirmed it to the Post.

Now that Radel is resigning, the race to fill his seat is already heating up. Lizbeth Benacquisto (R), and

Rumors are already spreading that Rep. Paige Kreegel (R) has reportedly already filed papers to run, and former congressman Connie Mack and state Senate Majority Leader Lizbeth Benacquisto and are both rumored to possibly run for Radel’s seat.

Update: Here’s the resignation letter Radel sent to House Speaker John Boehner.

Filed Under: cocaine, congress, crime, dc superior court, trey radel,