Special Election In SW Florida To Pick Rep. Radel's Replacement

MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) - Voters in southwest Florida's District 19 are going to the polls Tuesday in a special election to select a replacement for former U.S. Rep. Trey Radel.

Radel resigned in January after pleading guilty to cocaine possession.

Republican Curt Clawson, a former CEO of an aluminum wheel company, is the favorite to replace him in the heavily Republican district. Also on the ballot are Democrat April Freeman and Libertarian Ray Netherwood.

Republicans make up about 45 percent of the registered voters in the district, with Democrats accounting for 27 percent.

Polls in Lee and Collier counties will close at 7 p.m.

As of Monday, more than 82,000 voters had already voted early or cast absentee ballots. That's about 18 percent of registered voters in the district. Republicans led Democrats in returned mail-in ballots by about 21,000.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

RELATED CONTENT: