Congressman Bob Ney will not seek re-election
Republican Congressman Bob Ney abruptly abandoned his bid for re-election yesterday, becoming the latest Capitol Hill figure to fall victim to the congressional corruption scandal involving lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
The six-term congressman insisted in a statement that he was innocent and said he was acting for the sake of his family.
“I must think of them first, and I can no longer put them through this ordeal,” he said.
He is the second congressman to announce his retirement in the fallout from the probe.
Former Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Texas resigned from Congress earlier this year after being indicted on unrelated charges he illegally funneled corporate contributions to Republican candidates. He has also come under suspicion for links to Abramoff.
Other victims of the scandal include Ralph Reed, the former Christian Coalition leader with ties to Abramoff who lost his bid last month for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor in Georgia.
Ney has not been charged with any crimes, but court papers released from Abramoff’s guilty plea to fraud and corruption charges detailed lavish gifts and contributions that Abramoff says he gave to an unnamed House member in return for official acts, including support of Abramoff’s American Indian tribe clients in Texas.
Officials have confirmed that congressman is Ney.
Ney and some of his aides, including Chief of Staff William Heaton, have been subpoenaed. Neil Volz, who was Ney’s previous chief of staff, pleaded guilty in Washington in May, admitting he participated in a conspiracy to corrupt Ney, his staff and other members of Congress.
State Senator Joy Padgett said she was prepared to run in a Republican primary to replace Ney. She said that Ney called her on Saturday and asked her to run in his place.
Ney spokeswoman Katie Harbath said the congressman was not available for comment.
Democrats must gain 15 seats this autumn to take control of the House of Representatives, and Republicans had long considered Ney to be one of their most vulnerable incumbents.
Several Republican officials said Ney had been prodded to quit the race by Rep. John Boehner, an Ohio Republican and the current majority leader, as well as other officials.
