NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- A federal appeals court in New Orleans is set to decide whether former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Texas must remain an unwilling candidate for Congress.
During oral arguments Monday, a lawyer for Texas Republicans said DeLay presented state Chairwoman Tina Benkiser with proof that he had registered to vote in Virginia and switched his driver's license, the Houston Chronicle reported. But Democrats argued that DeLay's ties to Texas are as strong as ever.
"This is a case where the district court found manufactured evidence, a manipulation of the system, and therefore a fraud against the voters," said Chad Dunn.
DeLay won the Republican Primary in his district in Texas. But he announced his decision to drop out of the race and resign from Congress when polls showed that his indictment in Texas on campaign finance charges and his ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff had chipped away at his popularity.
A district court judge in Texas ruled that DeLay must remain on the ballot.
