Tom DeLay

Tom DeLay
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Name	Tom DeLay
Caption	Official portrait, 2003
Office	House Majority Leader
Term start	January 3, 2003
Term end	September 28, 2005
Predecessor	Dick Armey
Successor	Roy Blunt
Office1	House Majority Whip
Term start1	January 3, 1995
Term end1	January 3, 2003
Predecessor1	David E. Bonior
Successor1	Roy Blunt
State2	Texas
District2	22nd
Term start2	January 3, 1985
Term end2	June 9, 2006
Predecessor2	Ron Paul
Successor2	Shelley Sekula-Gibbs
Party	Republican
Birth name	Thomas Dale DeLay
Birth date	8 April 1947
Birth place	Laredo, Texas, U.S.
Spouse	Christine Furrh, 1967
Education	University of Houston (BS)
Occupation	Politician, consultant

Tom DeLay was a prominent and polarizing figure in American politics, serving as a U.S. Representative from Texas and rising to become one of the most powerful Republican leaders in Washington, D.C.. Nicknamed "The Hammer" for his aggressive, disciplined leadership style, he played a central role in advancing the Contract with America and the agenda of the George W. Bush administration. His career was ultimately derailed by a series of criminal indictments related to campaign finance, leading to his resignation from Congress and a conviction that was later overturned.

Early life and career

Thomas Dale DeLay was born in Laredo, Texas, and grew up in the border region before his family moved to Bellaire. He attended the University of Houston, earning a Bachelor of Science in biology. After graduation, he founded a successful pest control business, Albo Pest Control, in Houston. His initial foray into politics was at the local level, serving on the city council and as a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1979 to 1985, where he developed a reputation as a staunch conservative advocate.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1984, representing Texas's 22nd congressional district, DeLay quickly became a skilled political operator. He rose through the ranks, becoming House Majority Whip in 1995 following the Republican Revolution and the implementation of the Contract with America. As whip, he was instrumental in maintaining party discipline for key votes during the Clinton administration, including the impeachment of Bill Clinton. He ascended to House Majority Leader in 2003, wielding immense influence over the legislative agenda for the George W. Bush administration, particularly on issues like the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act and the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Indictment and legal issues

In 2005, a Travis County grand jury indicted DeLay on felony charges of money laundering and conspiracy related to alleged illegal corporate campaign contributions funneled through his PAC, Texans for a Republican Majority. The charges, brought by District Attorney Ronnie Earle, forced him to step down as House Majority Leader under House Republican Conference rules. After a lengthy legal battle, he was convicted in 2010 and sentenced to three years in prison. However, in 2013, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the state's highest criminal court, overturned his conviction, with the majority opinion stating the prosecution had failed to prove its case.

Post-political career

Following his resignation from Congress in 2006, DeLay moved into lobbying and political consulting. He appeared as a contestant on the television show *Dancing with the Stars* in 2009. He has been a commentator on networks like CNN and Fox News, authored a book titled *No Retreat, No Surrender*, and remained an active speaker on the conservative lecture circuit. He also launched a online retail venture, DeLay Unlimited, and has been involved with various conservative think tanks and advocacy groups.

Political positions and legacy

A quintessential social conservative, DeLay was a forceful advocate for anti-abortion policies, school prayer, and traditional marriage. On economic matters, he was a steadfast proponent of tax cuts, deregulation, and free trade. His legacy is deeply contested; supporters credit him with historic GOP legislative victories and unparalleled party discipline, while critics view him as a symbol of corporate influence and political corruption. His career exemplifies the rise of hardball partisan tactics in the modern United States Congress and the intense legal scrutiny that can accompany such power.

Category:1947 births Category:Living people Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Texas Category:Texas Republicans Category:American people convicted of corruption