Florida GOP officials call on Radel to step down

TAMPA, Fla. — A U.S. Congressman who recently pleaded guilty to cocaine possession says he is focusing on rehab and will return to work as soon as possible, despite calls from Florida's top Republican Party officials for him to step down.
 
A spokesman for Republican U.S. Rep. Trey Radel said Tuesday that the Fort Myers congressman's top priority is to complete his rehabilitation.
 
On Monday, the chairman of the Republican Party of Florida suggested Radel should step down after his recent cocaine conviction in Washington, D.C., joining a growing number of party leaders in Radel's own district calling for his resignation.
 
The heads of the Republican Party in Lee and Collier counties also have called on Radel to resign.

WFTV