By By KERRY WHIPPLE BEAN – Publisher
U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay's decision not to run for re-election is disappointing, local Republican officials said.
DeLay - the former House whip who has been the target of ethics investigations in the past year - announced Tuesday he would not run again for his Texas District 22 seat.
DeLay's poll numbers had been trending downward, giving a Democrat a chance at the seat in a year when Republicans are battling to keep control of the House.
Longtime Escambia County Republican Danny Joyner said he has &#8220mixed emotions” about DeLay's decision.
DeLay was indicted in September on charges of conspiring to violate campaign fundraising law and was then forced to resign as majority whip. The next month he was indicted on charges of money laundering.
A former aide to the representative pleaded guilty in November to conspiring to bribe public officials.
U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner, DeLay's Republican colleague in the House who also represents the Brewton area, said DeLay was effective.