DeLay says he was worried about losing

In an interview on KTRH, U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay said he decided to resign his seat more than a week ago, a move he's making because he's afraid he might lose his bid for re-election and jeopardize Republican control of his House seat. DeLay told Sam Malone he "should have done better" than the 62 percent of the vote with which he won the March 7 primary, and polling showed he only had a 50-50 chance of winning in November.

"Why risk it, when we can save the seat?," [DeLay] said. The district leans Republican. "I'm incredibly confident I'm not leaving the 22nd District in jeopardy."

DeLay predicted that support for the Democratic candidate, Nick Lampson, will evaporate now that he's out of the race. "He's got enough to run a campaign right now, but it's not going to be a referendum on me," DeLay said. He added that he has never broken a law or a House rule — DeLay, as you'll recall, has been at the center of several ethics probes — and said he hopes to earn money from speaking engagements to help cover $1.5 million in unpaid legal bills.

DeLay didn't hold a press conference today, but gave interviews to some reporters. He also released a video statement that was distributed to news outlets.