W A S H I N G T O N, Sept. 7 — Though colleagues of Rep. Gary Condit tell ABCNEWS the embattled congressman is leaning towards retiring from Congress at the end of his term, his office says a decision has not yet been made."Media reports today stating that Congressman Condit has reached a decision regarding his 2002 campaign are inaccurate," a Condit staffer said, reading a prepared statement from the congressman's press office over the phone. "No such decision has been made."
In previous reports, Condit's aides said he would run for another term. However, Condit pondered retirement over the August recess while talking with other Democrats about California's redistricting process.
He also had reportedly told sources he wants to make this decision on his own timetable, rather than being pressured out by congressional colleagues.
The redistricting plan, which is expected to be approved this month, would end up favorable for Democrats, whether or not Condit decides to run for another term.
But the redistricting would post a major roadblock for Condit. In the plan, the newly designed 18th District would exclude Condit's hometown of Ceres, which makes up the bulk of his constituent base. Instead, it would include the city of Stockton — a college town whose voters are typically more liberal than Condit has been over the years.
Redistricting Rocks Condit's Political Landscape.
Rethinking His Political Future
Condit has been under fire because of questions about his relationship with missing Washington intern Chandra Levy. Although law enforcement insists he is not considered a suspect in her disappearance, he's come under criticism for evasiveness in recent media interviews.
In earlier reports, Condit told aides he planned to seek an eighth term in office, and he intended to proceed with "Condit Country," the congressman's annual fund-raiser in October.
Doubts about considering retirement didn't just come from Democratic colleagues, but also from his own family.
Condit's son, Chad, suggested in an interview on CNN's Larry King Live that he should consider not running for re-election. His daughter, Cadee, said she was "torn" on whether he should run again.
As Condit returned to work this week, he was still treated cordially by members of Congress who expressed support for him before the recess. And several members reportedly spoke to him during votes on Wednesday, but no one had asked him about his political future or involvement with Levy.
Last month, Condit was lambasted severely by Democratic colleagues, most notably by Minority Leader Rep. Richard Gephardt of Missouri. Gephardt was sharply critical of Condit, calling his performance during the interview with ABCNEWS' Connie Chung "disturbing and wrong."
Though Gephardt has said he would consider possible punishment, including removal from the Select Committee on Intelligence, the Democratic leader said today Congress should stay out of the ultimate decision on Condit's fate.
"Look, he got elected by over a half a million people, just like I did," Gephardt said. "His political future, is between him and them, it's not my business. They elected him to Congress, that's their decision, and that's the way it should be."
The courts in Condit's district also will have a say in his future. The Associated Press reported today that a grand jury in Stanislaus County has reached a decision on whether to investigate allegations Condit obstructed justice by pressing flight attendant Anne Marie Smith to sign an affidavit stating they didn't have an affair.
The grand jury's decision, AP reports, will be sent to Smith's lawyer.
ABCNEWS' Claire Shipman in Washington contributed to this report.For Education And Discussion Only. Not For Commercial Use.
