A Texas judge denied a request Wednesday by former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R) to move his trial, National Public Radio reported.

DeLay’s trial is set to be held in Austin in Democratic-leaning Travis County. The former Texas lawmaker argued the area is too liberal and wanted the trial moved to his home county of Fort Bend, which is more conservative.

DeLay faces a 2005 indictment on money laundering charges and allegations that he sought to evade a state ban on corporate campaign donations during the 2002 state legislative races.

Senior District Judge Pat Priest ruled that appropriate safeguards could be taken to hold a fair trial in Austin. The judge set a trial date for Oct. 26, NPR reported.

DeLay’s defense team also attacked former Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle on Wednesday, saying the Democrat sought politically motivated indictments, NPR reported.

Jennifer Yachnin contributed to this report.