A Republican super PAC has raised over $1 million toward boosting a possible Republican primary challenger to Rep. Trey Radel (R-FL), who pleaded guilty to cocaine possession last year.
The Values are Vital super PAC has received a $525,000 donation from Ronald Firman, a retiree from Florida and the group’s treasurer, and $485,000 from Las Vegas attorney Martin Burns, according to Bloomberg News. The group’s goal is to replace Radel with Florida state Rep. Paige Kreegel (R).
Anthony Farhat, the chairman of the super PAC, said that the group’s aim is not to defeat Radel over his cocaine plea, but said Radel “created his own demise.”
“I’m just trying to do what I can as a business owner in this district…I’m trying to say ‘Hey, I don’t want to see our district continue to make mistakes,'” Farhat said according to the Tampa Bay Times.
Kreegel previously ran in the 2012 Republican primary against Radel. He has not said whether he plans to challenge Radel again.
Radel has been in rehab since his plea before the D.C. Superior Court and plans to return to Capitol Hill early next week.
