Bombarded by scandals, DeLay will leave Congress
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?I have no fear whatsoever about any investigation into me or my personal or professional activities,? DeLay said in a statement to constituents. At the same time, he said, ?I refuse to allow liberal Democrats an opportunity to steal this seat with a negative, personal campaign.?
He said the voters of his Houston-area district ?deserve a campaign about the vital national issues that they care most about … and not a campaign focused solely as a referendum on me.?
DeLay relinquished the post as House majority leader last fall after his indictment in Texas as part of an investigation into the allegedly illegal use of funds for state legislative races. He decided in January against trying to get the leadership post back as an election-year corruption scandal staggered Republicans and emboldened minority Democrats.
Last week, former DeLay aide Tony Rudy pleaded guilty to conspiring with lobbyist Jack Abramoff and others to corrupt public officials, and he promised to help the broad federal investigation of bribery and lobbying fraud that already has resulted in three convictions.
DeLay, an 11-term Texas lawmaker who turns 59 on Saturday, said he would make his resignation effective sometime before mid-June but contingent on the congressional calendar.