HOUSTON - U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, who lost his leadership post because of his ties to a disgraced lobbyist and faces felony charges in his home state, now has another worry: an unprecedented four-way primary for the seat he’s held comfortably for 22 years.

While two of DeLay’s challengers in the March 7 primary aren’t considered to have much credibility — one is making his fourth attempt to unseat DeLay and the other has lived overseas much of her adult life — lawyer Tom Campbell of Sugar Land holds an impressive Republican resume.

Campbell worked on the presidential campaigns of Bob Dole and the elder George Bush, whose administration appointed him general counsel to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A former Harris County Republican Party official runs Campbell’s campaign.

I have never heard of this Tom Campbell guy before so I don’t know exactly what kind of Republican he is. I have mixed feelings about DeLay. He was the one that left the Medicare bill open long enough to twist enough arms and push it through. It was also DeLay that made the ridiculous statement last year that they had cut all the spending they possibly could. (I still can’t believe he made that claim with a straight face) Additionally, I do believe DeLay is probably guilty of some kind of illegal doings arising from the allogations that have been made against him, but I reserve my judgment until he has his day in court.

The bottom line, DeLay has become a black eye on the GOP. It might do us good to lose him. On the other hand, if it is at the expense of someone “moderate” is it the right thing to do even it may be the ethical thing?