WASHINGTON – Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, a primary architect of the Republican majority who became one of the most powerful and feared leaders in Washington, told House allies Monday night he will give up his seat rather than face a re-election fight that appears increasingly unwinnable.
The decision came three days after his former deputy chief of staff, Tony Rudy, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and corruption charges, telling federal prosecutors of a criminal enterprise being run out of DeLay’s leadership offices. Rudy’s plea agreement did not implicate DeLay in any illegal activities, but by placing the influence-buying efforts of disgraced Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff directly in DeLay’s operation, the former aide may have made an already difficult re-election bid all but out of reach.
DeLay did not say precisely when he would step down, but under Texas law, he must either die, be convicted of a felony, or move out of his district to be removed from the November ballot. DeLay told Time magazine that he is likely to change his official residence to Alexandria, Va., by the end of May.
“This had become a referendum on me,” he told Time in an article on the magazine’s Web site. “So it’s better for me to step aside and let it be a referendum on ideas, Republican values and what’s important for this district.”
Asked if he had done anything illegal or immoral in public office, DeLay said, “No.”
Former aides and sources close to Delay said his decision was not motivated by Rudy’s guilty plea, but by DeLay’s concerns that he might lose his suburban Houston seat to his Democratic opponent, former Rep. Nick Lampson and his belief that another Republican could win. DeLay’s re-election race was expected to be one of the most expensive House campaigns in history. Once DeLay steps aside, the Texas Republican Party will choose a replacement candidate.
Senior House Republicans have been saying for several weeks that DeLay would make his decision based on what was best for the GOP. Indeed, Democratic House campaign officials have been hoping to face DeLay in November.
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