Tom DeLay kept raising lots of campaign cash even as he was contemplating his decision to leave office, reports the Houston Chronicle today. Between Feb. 15 and March 31, he raised $484,475, more than triple the amount he raised during the previous 45 days. (His primary race was on March 7.)

The extra money raised by DeLay brings his total cash reserve to $1.4 million, which he can use for political activities--or to pay his mounting legal bills. DeLay's legal defense fund alsor raised $275,000 in the first quarter of 2006, nearly all of which is "swiftly paid to lawyers," according to the Houston lawyer who administers that fund.

There are no laws stopping DeLay from continuing to raise money, and on Monday, his campaign website continued to feature a message soliciting campaign contributions, as well as a statement saying that he would resign from Congress.  

Must be nice. Stay in office and continue to collect money from special interest donors to pay for legal expenses. With the talk around the capital city of DeLay quite possibly choosing to become a lobbyist after he leaves Congress, he can also continue to do legislative favors for these donors while still in office while he is job hunting.