A new judge for GOP Congressman Tom DeLay's criminal case could be named by Friday.

Administrative Judge B.B. Schraub told The Associated Press Wednesday that he'll pick from a field of retired judges outside Travis County.

DeLay has been indicted in Austin on charges of money laundering and conspiracy in a campaign finance scheme related to 2002 legislative elections.

DeLay, who says he's innocent, was successful this week in having Democratic Judge Bob Perkins removed from the case.

The defense argued that Perkins had made more than $5,000 in contributions to Democratic candidates and groups in direct opposition to DeLay.

The new judge's first order of business will likely be a decision on DeLay's request to move the trial out of Austin.