Lewis, who is retiring at the end of the year, wrote a $50,000 check to the party on saturday night and told those at the GOP's annual meeting that he plans to give the majority of his campaign funds to the party later. Robertson says the party is "excited he's going to help us" by providing cash for the 2008 political races. Lewis has apologized for failing to tell republican leaders that he planned to retire long before the filing deadline. Lewis tried to assure that his aide, Daniel London, could file to run for his seat at the last minute, and avoid a GOP primary. That didn't happen and republicans were livid with Lewis, who was viewed as a beneficiary of smart politicking by Sen. Mitch McConnell when Lewis was first elected to congress in 1994. Ironically, London has withdrawn from the race leaving republican state senator Brett Guthrie of Bowling Green unopposed for the republican nomination.