DALLAS, April 28 (UPI) -- A Democrat who was defeated after Texas congressional districts were redrawn plans to challenge House Majority Leader Tom DeLay in next year's election.
Nick Lampson discussed his decision during a stop at the weekly meeting of Texas Democratic House members Wednesday in Washington, The Dallas Morning News reported.
"People are sick and tired of scandals," Lampson told the newspaper. "It's going to have an impact on this race."
DeLay called it premature to answer questions about his 2006 re-election bid or Lampson. "We file for office in December. Ask me those in December," he said.
The last Democrat who opposed DeLay in his 22nd District, Richard Morrison, said earlier this week he would not run again. Houston City Council member Gordon Quan is considering the race, the News reported.
Lampson said he would move into the 22nd District "pretty quickly" now that he has decided to run. About 20 percent of the DeLay district near Houston was part of Lampson's turf before the congressional redistricting in 2003.
