DeLay reportedly won't seek re-election

WASHINGTON — Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who was touched by a lobbying scandal that ensnared some of his former top aides and cost the Republican his leadership post, won't seek re-election to Congress and intends to resign, Republican officials said today.

They said DeLay would leave his seat in May or June.

It was not clear whether or how DeLay could remove his name from the November ballot, but if he did, party officials would presumably be able to select a replacement who could then run against Democratic nominee Nick Lampson.

It's unclear when DeLay reached his decision, but one official said he began informing close associates late last week. That was around the same time as a second former aide, Tony Rudy, pleaded guilty in a federal corruption investigation that has reached into DeLay's office.

DeLay was expected to disclose his plans Tuesday at a news conference in Houston, said the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the congressman had not yet made that announcement.

Several officials said DeLay, an 11-term congressman, called Texas members of Congress to tell them he was abandoning his re-election race.

"He'll resign," a former senior DeLay aide said.

....
Earlier this year, DeLay had vowed to run a "very vigorous campaign" and win re-election. But the congressman's woes continued to build over the past week.

On Friday, his former chief of staff pleaded guilty to conspiracy and promised to help with a federal investigation of bribery and lobbying fraud relating to Abramoff. Tony Rudy admitted conspiring with Abramoff — both while Rudy worked for the Texas congressman and after he left the lawmaker's staff to become a lobbyist himself.

Rudy is the second former DeLay staffer to plead guilty to federal charges in connection with the lobbying probe. Michael Scanlon, a former DeLay press secretary who later became a lobbying partner with Abramoff, pleaded guilty last fall to conspiring to bribe public officials.

Rudy's plea agreement makes no allegation that DeLay did anything wrong.

Just days before Rudy's plea, Abramoff — who is helping the congressional corruption investigation in Washington — was sentenced to nearly six years in prison for fraud in connection with a separate case, a casino boat business deal.

DeLay's announcement Tuesday will trigger the end of a long career.
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/disp...t/3768622.html

Buh-bye...
Don't let the door hit you in the head on the way out...

Alright!