WASHINGTON – Rep. Tom DeLay has been getting some serious help from his friends, raising more than $1.1 million in the last three months for campaign and legal expenses – and smashing his own formidable personal bests for both accounts.
The former majority leader, a Texas Republican, raised more than $800,000 in the last three months for his campaign, aides said Friday, putting the total close to $2 million as he girds for a fight with former Rep. Nick Lampson, a Democrat. He also raised more than $300,000 for his defense fund, just as his legal bills started to mount with his indictment two weeks ago.
The high tallies reflect two central facets of DeLay’s current situation. He’s in the fights of his life – political and legal – and he’s still got plenty of allies and favors to call in.
On Friday, for instance, he was in Midland, Texas, raising campaign cash with help from a freshman congressman, Rep. Mike Conaway.
Presidential confidante and former Commerce Secretary Don Evans co-hosted the luncheon at the Petroleum Club, which drew about 50 local GOP stalwarts.
“It is unusual for someone of his stature to face such a daunting re-election campaign …,” said Conaway, but “he’s got good appeal in this part of the world.”
Democrats were derisive, noting that it’s rare for a veteran, especially one of the Capitol’s most successful fundraisers, to seek help from someone so junior.
“The roles are certainly being reversed,” said Lampson campaign manager Mike Malaise. “Tom DeLay used to go out and raise money for freshmen and now he’s getting help from freshmen.” Still, he said, “Nobody ever doubted Tom DeLay could raise money.”
The Lampson campaign raised about $322,000 in the last three months, according to the quarterly Federal Elections Commission report due Saturday. That puts his total at $825,000 since he joined the race in early May. Most of that money is still in the bank. He says he’s aiming for at least $5 million.
DeLay spokeswoman Shannon Flaherty dismissed the idea that taking help from freshmen shows legal troubles have taken a toll.
“They realize this is likely to be the No. 1 race in the country, with every trial lawyer, labor union, and MoveOn groupie throwing their money in,” she said.
Reps. Pete Sessions and John Culberson, both Texas Republicans, threw fundraisers over the summer, and other lawmakers also plan to pitch in, she said.
Under House rules, DeLay was forced to step down as majority leader on Sept. 28 when a Travis County jury indicted him for conspiring to violate state campaign law. Another grand jury added a charge of laundering corporate money to Texas Republican candidates.
He vehemently denies the charges and accuses prosecutor Ronnie Earle of partisan motives.
Even before the indictments, legal bills piled up, as DeLay prepared for a House ethics investigation into his overseas travel and relations with lobbyists.
Defense fund trustee Brent Perry said the fund paid lawyers about $250,000 in the quarter. Nearly all the donations arrived before DeLay was indicted.
“People still support Tom and believe that he’s being treated improperly,” Perry said.
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