Rick Scott Backs GOP Call For Trey Radel's Resignation

Gov. Rick Scott (R) is backing the Republican Party of Florida's call for the resignation of Rep. Trey Radel, who was arrested in October for cocaine possession.

On Monday, state GOP chairman Lenny Curry said Floridians "need a Congressman who is 100 percent focused on the needs of Southwest Florida" and called for Radel to "step down and focus his attention on rehabilitation and his family." According to WFTX-TV , Scott backed that statement while speaking with reporters on Tuesday.

"I agree with the party chairman. Look, Trey's going through some hard times," Scott said. "My prayers and my wife's prayers are with his family, but we have to hold all of our elected officials to the highest standard."

On Nov. 20, Radel pleaded guilty to cocaine possession and was sentenced to one-year probation. He is currently taking a leave of absence to get treatment for drug and alcohol dependency.

For more from WFTX-TV, including a video of Scott discussing Radel, go here .

Byron Kittle contributed to this report.