Rep. Trey Radel’s (R-FL) decision to resign from Congress is not likely to flip Florida’s 19th Congressional District, but that by no means assures a clean election to fill his seat.
Radel will resign on Monday leaving Scott to set up a special election. According to The Hill, Scott would likely set the election sometime in late June or early July.
Radel, who was caught buying cocaine in Oct. 29 and in November pleaded guilty to cocaine possession, had been rumored to be considering resigning from Congress over the weekend. He had previously said he had no plans to resign and House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) refrained from seeking to punish the Florida congressman over his cocaine charge.
But back in Florida the story was different. Top Republicans in the state, including Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi as well as various Florida county Republican Party chairs, had called on Radel to step down.
And on the campaign front, even though it wasn’t quite clear what Radel would do, there was already at least one Republican who had begun waging a serious challenge to Radel: Former state Rep. Paige Kreegel (R). A super PAC for Kreegel has already raised a sizable $1 million to help boost the Florida Republican’s candidacy. Kreegel also ran against Radel in 2012 and lost so his 2014 campaign is a rematch.
Other possible contenders for Radel’s seat have included former Rep. Connie Mack, who left his Florida congressional district to run for Senate, and state Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto who’s suggested interest in jumping into the race. Radio host Sean Hannity, of all people, has also been mentioned as a possible candidate for the seat, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
As of now it’s doubtful that a divisive primary could create an opening for Democrats to win. Florida’s 19th Congressional District went 61 percent for Mitt Romney and 39 percent for President Barack Obama in 2012. In 2008 Sen. John McCain beat Obama in the district 57 percent to 42 percent.
“This district is a solid GOP district,” A Republican campaign official told TPM. “I think there will be a primary but I don’t think that would jeopardize the seat. When Radel won he faced a tough primary battle and then it’s an easier race through the general.”
The official said Benaquisto was the one to keep an eye on.
Still, even though Republicans aren’t concerned about losing the district, there seems to be a sigh of relief on the right. Speaking on MSNBC Monday morning Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus said Radel’s decision was “absolutely” the right one.
