The US Republican, Tom DeLay, now under indictment in Texas and tainted by a corruption scandal, has said he will remain in the US Congress and will campaign for re-election in November.
Mr DeLay's comments came after it emerged yesterday that he had abandoned efforts to hold on to his job as Republican majority leader in the House of Representatives while fighting corruption allegations.
Speaking to reporters in Texas, Mr DeLay said he was stepping aside because the post was too important to be constrained by what he called personal distractons.
Mr DeLay also protested his innocence: 'In 21 years in Congress I have always acted in an ethical manner ... and time once again will bear out that truth,' he said.
Roy Blunt, who has been acting Majority Leader since Mr DeLay's indictment in September, is expected to be among those seeking Mr DeLay's job.
It is thought that an election will be held after the House of Representatives reconvenes following its winter break on 31 January.
