Rep. Radel still mum on re-election as he returns to Congress

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Rep. Trey Radel returned to Congress following his guilty plea to cocaine possession and a rehab stint, and was silent on whether he'd seek re-election.

"I cannot express how sorry I am," Radel, R-Fla., said during a 4-minute news conference Tuesday from his office on Capitol Hill. "I ask for your forgiveness. I've let down our entire country. I have let down my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. And I've let down my family."

Radel said he had a support system at the ready in Washington and in Florida that would help him through his addiction issues, Roll Call reported. Radel also said he would be involved in at least one 12-step program.

Radel also refused to answer whether he would run for re-election this year.

"Re-election is the absolute last thing on my mind. The most important thing, right now, is my health, my family and getting back to finding solutions and getting something done for our ...," he said before being drowned out by reporters.

Roll Call said Radel didn't discuss the House Ethics Committee investigation but said he would meet with House Speaker John Boehner this week.

Radel went on leave in late November following news he was arrested in the District of Columbia for cocaine possession. He underwent treatment at a clinic in Naples, Fla.