DeLay to announce re-election bid today

DeLay to announce re-election bid today
By TJ Aulds
The Daily News

Published December 20, 2005

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.

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