Well, that's a seat lost...
What is the matter with this guy? Has he lost his mind?
People this is old news already...why is this even posted?
Too bad. Re? electing Tom would have been a nice poke in the eye for the libs.
You been here yet?
Has a write-in candidate every won a national election?
We are handing this to the Democrats on a silver platter.
DeLay tried to pull a fast one, and now all of the GOP may have to suffer. There is a better than even chance theat the Dems will take control of the House.
Thanks for nothing, Tom! Good luck on your lobbying career. Hope you make a lot of $$$
A bad mistake. Write-ins almost never win and DeLay's name could still carry the race, forcing a special election after he resigns. This move would practically hand the seat to the Dems. This doesn't sound like the Tom DeLay I've grown accustomed to.
Earlier this year, I resigned from the U.S. House of Representatives and became a resident of the State of Virginia to establish my new business, and where I now legally reside, pay taxes and vote.
This decision was and is irrevocable, which I made clear from Day One.
My action was taken in accordance with Texas law, federal precedent and common sense. I felt it was my duty to allow Texas Republicans to choose a new candidate for the Fall Election Ballot.
In November, voters in the 22nd District of Texas deserve a choice between candidates who actually live in the District, between a Republican and Democrat, and between those two people whose names should appear on the ballot.
Unfortunately, the Federal courts have slammed the door shut on a fair ballot choice between two 22nd District residents representing our two major parties.
The court ruling allows a Democrat – who just moved into this community – to have his name appear on the ballot, but denies the Republican Party the opportunity to place a District Republican resident on that same ballot.
Voters should be concerned. While judges are denying Texas voters a fair choice this Fall, the courts allowed the Democrat Party in New Jersey to withdraw Robert Torricelli and substitute Frank Lautenberg in a similar case just weeks before the 2002 U.S. Senate election.
As a Virginia resident, I will take the actions necessary to remove my name from the Texas ballot. To do anything else would be hypocrisy.
I strongly encourage the Republican Party to take any and all actions necessary to give Texas voters an up-or-down choice this Fall between two major party candidates.
Finally, I am honored by the faith and trust you have placed in me as we have all worked to protect the things that make the 22nd District special.
I appreciate your friendship, prayers and strong support over the years.
Sincerely,
Tom DeLay