Ney declines new run for House

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Rep. Bob Ney announced yesterday that he will not seek a seventh term in November, a decision Republicans say was made to help ensure his Ohio seat stays in the party's hands.

Mr. Ney, who has been dogged by charges of corruption in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal, said in a statement that he had done nothing wrong but was withdrawing for his family's sake.

"I must think of them first, and I can no longer put them through this ordeal," he said. He was not otherwise available for comment.

Mr. Ney is the second Republican in Congress this year with close ties to Abramoff to announce he will not seek re-election. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay gave up his seat from Texas in June.

"Mr. Ney's departure from Congress is welcome news in our fight to end the Republican culture of corruption," said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat.

Mr. Ney and Republican Party officials reportedly have chosen state Sen. Joy Padgett as a replacement.

"Any Republican we put on the ballot will be able to represent the district better than a Democrat," said Ohio Republican Party spokesman John McClelland.

House Majority Leader John A. Boehner urged his fellow Ohio Republican to quit his race, said party officials who spoke with the Associated Press.

"This just shows you the arrogance of Boehner and Padgett," said Ohio Democratic Party spokesman Brian Rothenberg. "They think they can just replace Ney and keep the seat. This doesn't change the fact that corruption is an issue in Ohio."

Ohio Secretary of State spokesman James Lee told The Washington Times that Mr. Ney has not submitted the required paperwork making his withdrawal official, and Ohio Democratic officials say they will fight to keep Mr. Ney on the ballot.