WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fla., who pleaded guilty to cocaine possession and is in rehab, will decide his political future once his treatment ends, the Hill reported.
A source the Washington publication described as close to the Republican freshman lawmaker said Radel intends to return to Washington to finish his current term once he completes his treatment, but any decisions about his re-election bid would be made next year, the Hill reported Monday.
Radel wants to focus on getting well before deciding whether to seek another term in Congress, the source explained.
However, the Hill reported, the consensus among Florida Republicans is that Radel either won't run next year or will lose in the GOP primary.
Lawmakers familiar with the situation told the Hill Radel spoke with Florida delegation chairman Rep. Vern Buchanan, a Republican, and said "he's going to try to work through the rehab and then figure it out."
While confirming the conversation, Buchanan did not reveal details of the discussion, the Hill said.
The source told the Hill, "I think he'll try to hang in there, but he's got a lot of soul-searching in his family, with constituents ... ."
The source also said a decision by former Rep. Connie Mack to regain the seat he gave up for an unsuccessful senatorial bid would be a factor as well. Mack has expressed an interest in running for his former seat.
