113th Congress: Trey Radel, R-Fla. (19th District)

By Kathleen Murphy, CQ Staff

Trey Radel, a tea party favorite, promises to sponsor, on his first day in office, a bill to repeal the 2010 health care overhaul. But that’s not the only item on his well-rounded agenda.

Radel hopes to serve on the Financial Services or Foreign Affairs committees, although his priorities — fostering job creation, paying down the debt and simplifying the tax code — may lead him to aim higher after he has earned some seniority.

“I’m happy to talk to everyone, to work with everyone. But I will not compromise ultimately on my conservative values and principles,” he says.

Radel, who represents a conservative area where golf courses extend from one gated community to another, signed Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist’s no-tax-increase pledge. “For Republicans or Democrats to ask any of the American people for more money is nothing short of ludicrous,” Radel says, comparing that to a child asking parents for more money after squandering a fortune.

Government’s core role, “to protect life,” includes the unborn child, he says. Radel likes Arizona-style immigration laws and opposes a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants.

He also is a Keystone XL pipeline supporter and opposes high-speed rail, saying it would burden states and municipalities.

During the campaign, Radel bought website names that his opponents were likely to use; his actions were publicly criticized, and he surrendered the rights to the domain names.