Former Majority Leader DeLay To Resign, Will Not Seek Re-Election

Update 5, 1.45 am Pacific
In a stunning about-face, Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX-22) has decided to drop out of his race for re-election, according to the Washington Post, and will leave Congress before November, perhaps by the end of May, according to Time.

Depending on Texas replacement rules, a Republican could be appointed selected in a special election to complete his term and then run as an incumbent in November. DeLay was coy in his Time interview -- "we don't have to choose from my primary opponents" before saying it was a party decision. No word on what Gov. Rick Perry is thinking.

An appointment by the Governor is not possible. From Texas election law, Chapter 204, Vacancy in Congress, Subchapter B, Vacancy in House of Representatives:

Sec.A204.021. VACANCY FILLED AT SPECIAL ELECTION. An unexpired term in the office of United States representative may be filled only by a special election in the same manner as provided by Chapter 203 for the legislature, except that Section 203.013 does not apply.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.

According to Chapter 203, a majority vote is required, and the special election is set at least 36 days after being ordered by the Governor. A petition with 500 names is required for a candidate to be placed on the ballot.

The SwingState Project gave the Texas law an early and quick once-over and did not reached any conclusion about whether or not DeLay can be replaced. To take his name off the November ballot, he must act at least 75 days before election day.

This is the biggest story in the political blogosphere. Captain's Quarters decries as "political hackery" the Texas indictment looming over DeLay before turning to Abramoff, where his primary criticism had nothing to do with conspiracy and everything to do with letting power and money run the show. Powerline mentions only the Texas indictment, nothing about Abramoff: "DeLay appears to be yet another victim of the Democrats' politics of personal destruction--the only politics they know."

On the progressive front, Tim Tagaris uses the equally predictable soundbite: "culture of corruption."

The rise and fall of Tom DeLay is not unlike that of Former Majority Leader Newt Gingrich, who some say is considering a run for the presidency in 2008. [He has recently authored a book, often an early step.] However, DeLay sounds like he plans to take a more prominent public position than Gingrich did.

Key Aide Pled Guilty Friday
DeLay handily won his Republican primary in March. But on Friday, Tony C. Rudy (39), the former Majority Leader's ex-deputy chief of staff, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and corruption on actions taken on behalf of Jack Abramoff, the lobbyist at the heart of a Capitol corruption investigation.

Rudy accepted at least $86,000 from Abramoff while employed by DeLay. And although he reportedly did not implicate DeLay on Friday, the San Jose Mercury News reports that he "finger[ed] his ex-boss - DeLay's former chief of staff Ed Buckham - as playing a role in the congressional bribery scandal."

Shifting Gears
DeLay, a born-again Christian, told Time that he believes he can accomplish his political goals outside of Congress, suggesting an evangelical role is in the cards:

"[T]his country was built on morals and religion... There is a connection between religion and politics, and religion and government... The people that go to church understand that a country has to be based on some sort of religion and fear of God because they understand that."

"Abortion on demand is still in this country, and I want to end abortion as we know it," he continued. He also talked about replacing the income tax with a "fair tax," "culture wars" and the "attack" on the American family. He also took a swipe at Ronnie Earle, repeating his claim that his Texas indictment is "a political hit job."

Second DeLay Aide Caught
Rudy is the second DeLay insider to be caught in the fallout from Abramoff's deals. In November, Michael Scanlon, an ex-aide who became Abramoff's lobbying partner, turned state's evidence.

The Houston Chronicle reports that another DeLay aide, Emily Miller, "has been cooperating with federal investigators as they bring down DeLay aides in what may be a tightening of the net around the former majority leader himself."

In October, yet another Abramoff associate, David Safavian, General Services Administration (GSA) chief of staff from May 2002 - January 2004, was indicted in connection with lying and obstructing investigations into Abramoff's activities.

Representatives Ditch Donations
The Hill reports that 13 House Republicans "already have returned or plan to return contributions they took" from Rudy. Since 2001, The Hill reports that Rudy gave $48,500 "to four members of leadership, two committee chairmen and then-Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas), Rudy’s boss from 1995 to 2000."

Abramoff was sentenced last week to five years and 10 months in prison for business fraud unrelated to this case.

Discuss at the US Politics Forum.

Technorati Profile
Technorati tags: Abramoff, DeLay, Politics
gada.be tags: Abramoff, DeLay, Politics