House: Tom DeLay To Resign

Big news Monday night in Washington. The Post's Jonathan Weisman and I are reporting that former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay has decided to resign from his Texas congressional seat rather than stand for reelection in the fall.

DeLay began telling colleagues and supporters of his decision this evening. He gave an in-person interview at his home in Texas earlier Monday to Time's Mike Allen, which you can read here.

DeLay is the party's official nominee for the general election. Under Texas law, DeLay must be disqualified from the race in order to have his name removed from the ballot. To be disqualified he must die, be convicted of a felony or move out of the state. Our understanding from a well-connected Republican strategist is that DeLay will change his legal residence to Alexandria, Va., allowing the state GOP executive committee to choose his replacement on the ballot.

Former Rep. Nick Lampson is the Democratic nominee, while former Republican Rep. Steve Stockman was planning an independent bid. It was not clear at press time what the status of either man's candidacy was in the immediate aftermath of the DeLay announcement.

See also R. Jeffrey Smith's story, "Federal Probe Has Edged Closer to Former Majority Leader."

By Chris Cillizza  |  April 3, 2006; 11:37 PM ET
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