Tom DeLay To Step Down; Won't Seek Re-Election

According to Time Magazine, Tom DeLay will not seek reelection.

Rep. Tom DeLay, whose iron hold on the House Republicans melted as a lobbying corruption scandal engulfed the Capitol, told TIME that he will not seek reelection and will leave Congress within months. Taking defiant swipes at “the left” and the press, he said he feels “liberated” and vowed to pursue an aggressive speaking and organizing campaign aimed at promoting foster care, Republican candidates and a closer connection between religion and government.

Think Progress also finds that he will be gone by late May or June.

The congressman, who informed party leaders of his decision late Monday, said his departure from office would depend on the congressional schedule, but he said he expected it would be in late May or mid-June.

In October, DeLay was indicted for money laundering.

The question now is whether there will be a special election to replace DeLay.

Depending on when DeLay steps down, the Texas governor, Rick Perry (R), could call a special election to fill the vacancy. It would be up to local GOP officials to formally replace DeLay on the ballot in November, but party officials say that the winner of a special election -- assuming it is a Republican -- would almost certainly be placed on the fall GOP ballot.

Right now, "assuming it is a Republican" could be a big assumption.