DeLay To Announce Re-Election Bid Today With an Unusual Move

Amid a criminal investigation into the use of campaign funds and poll numbers that show he is losing support within his own district, U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay will file for re-election today.

In an unusual move for his campaign, DeLay will file a petition to hold onto his seat instead of simply filing paperwork with the appropriate fee. State law allows for the waiving a certain fees if the candidate can garner enough signatures on a petition to seek that office. In DeLay’s case, he would need 500 signatures from within the 22nd Congressional District to qualify. Campaign officials said Monday he has more than 1,000.

The signatures are designed to be a symbolic gesture for the embattled congressman, who was forced to step down as U.S. house majority leader after he was indicted in Travis County on a money-laundering charge stemming from an investigation into the use of corporate donations being funneled to state legislative candidates.

DeLay was unavailable for comment Monday but is expected to make a formal announcement of his re-election campaign this morning at a meeting of business leaders in Clear Lake. Even before his announcement, Republicans in his home county of Fort Bend had already made it clear that support for DeLay remained strong.

“For nearly 30 years, Tom DeLay has been the keystone of the Fort Bend Republican Party, and his service paved the way for many other Republicans to be elected,” said Eric Thode, chairman of the Fort Bend County GOP. >>>That party’s executive committee had already endorsed DeLay for re-election, even though he has drawn two primary opponents. “Quite simply, Tom DeLay has earned our commitment and will continue to receive our full support.” (Eric Thode has been chairman of the Fort Bend County GOP for 14 years, with this being his last year at the helm - TAB)<<<

DeLay faces Michael Fjetland, who has run against DeLay three times.Pat Baig, a former oil company financial administrator from Missouri City, also announced she will seek the GOP nomination. Former U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson, who used to represent Galveston County, is seeking the office on the Democrat ticket.

DeLay Officially Announces 12th Term Re-election to Houston Business Leaders
December 20, 2005

DeLay Comments to the Press:

Rather than pay a filing fee, Tom DeLay filed by petition to the state GOP, delivering nearly 1,000 signatures from registered voters in the district, twice the number required. When DeLay disclosed his plans Tuesday at an appearance before a business group in the Johnson Space Center area of his district, he received a standing ovation from the overflow crowd.

"We wanted to show people the kind of support we have," DeLay said in an interview. "We had volunteers, people wanting to do something and fight back, we thought this would be a good exercise to increase our volunteer base."

DeLay has been gearing up for a battle in the November general election against former U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson, D-Beaumont. Asked about Lampson's challenge, he replied: "It's not a challenge." "They had to go all the way to Beaumont to find their handpicked boy, and they are funding him from all over the nation, not the 22nd District," DeLay said of the national Democratic Party. "Voters will realize that and vote accordingly."

Lampson served four terms in the U.S. House before his Southeast Texas district was redrawn to elect a Republican in a redistricting plan engineered by DeLay. Lampson has since moved to Stafford in the 22nd District.

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In his address DeLay touted the accomplishments of the most recent congressional session. He didn't mention his legal difficulties until a question-and-answer session afterward, in which he said there was a Democratic strategy to take him down.

"The record of this year is pretty amazing and we've been able to do it despite getting down into the gutter the Democrats have chosen to get into," DeLay said. "They have no agenda. All they have is the politics of personal destruction, and we understand what it is. We stay focused on our job to represent the views and values of our constituents and doing good things for the nation."

Videos:
News: DeLay Officially Announces 12th Term Re-election
12.20.05 - Tom DeLay's Speech This Morning – Washington & GOP News

Other:

Republican Texas Governor Rick Perry also formally filed for Texas Governor today, a 4-years term. Perry said in his speech he would campaign as a conservative and he promised to continue to govern as a conservative. Perry has been Texas Governor for 5 years and will have no problem winning re-election. – fla.

Posted by TAB

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