Rick Hasen explains what initially struck me as an odd note in Tom DeLay’s resignation announcement: “I also intend to relocate to my Virginia property and reside closer to Washington.” I read that as code for “since I love lobbyists so much, I am now becoming one.”
While that’s likely true, it was also evidence of DeLay’s shrewdness as a politician. Under Texas election law, there’s no problem with DeLay resigning because the deadline for so doing is well in the future. However, because the primary has already been held, his name would simply be removed from the ballot, handing the Democrats a victory. But, by moving from the District, DeLay would be ineligible to run, allowing the Republican Party to simply appoint a replacement.
Of course, if the governor calls for a special election for someone to serve out the term, that would not much matter.
Hat tip: Steven Taylor
