DeLay throws in De Towel...

It's official. Tom DeLay has decided to opt out of the race for his House seat. He's even resigning from Congress before the official end of his term.

This announcement comes less than a week after one of DeLay's former aides pleaded guilty to fraud charges. Whether that played into DeLay's decision or not is up in the air. DeLay still maintains that he broke no laws, and while there is still speculation that he may try to cut a deal, it doesn't seem likely at this point, and he was not named in the former aide's admissions.

Citing polling numbers too close to call with opponent (D) Nick Lampson, DeLay is pulling out of the race to keep the election from becoming "a referendum on me rather than what was important to the district."

Despite his current indictments, DeLay is still planning to move to the D. C. area (specifically, Virginia) to promote his agenda without having to answer to any more of those pesky constituents.

Aw, shucks!