Rep. Joe Straus to be next Speaker

• Speaker Craddick will not seek a fourth term
• Rep. Straus releases list of over 100 supporters
• Rep. John Smithee and Rep. Dan Gattis drop out of race

Rep. Tom Craddick will not seek re-election as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, ending his quest for a fourth term, paving the way for Rep. Joe Straus of San Antonio to assume the post after announcing over 100 pledged supporters. In a statement, Straus said, "I am humbled to receive the support of so many colleagues. Their sentiments and expressions of support for a positive tone and productive chamber in the days ahead are truly overwhelming."

Straus released the names of his supporters late Sunday afternoon. And continued to add pledged legislators  to his list. On Monday evening, Straus released a list containing over 100 pledged supporters. This release effectively ended the race for the next Speaker of the House as both Smithee and Gattis withdrew from the race.

"The needs of special interests and partisanship will take a back seat to doing what is right for our State at this critical time," Straus said in a statement released with his pledges. In regards to Craddick, Straus said he honored Craddick's service. "Speaker Tom Craddick has served with distinction in the Texas House for four decades. I have great respect for him personally and honor his service to the State."

Those lawmakers who remained pledged to Craddick rallied around Rep. Smithee and for a brief time it looked as if the two would spend the next week amassing votes. The Smithee candidacy quickly lost steam as Straus continued to gain support as a consensus builder. Many representatives claimed Straus was non-controversial and would build harmony in the House in the upcoming session.

The embattled and controversial leadership of Craddick led to gridlock in the last legislative session as many members, primarily Democrats joined by a handful of Republicans, led an effort to remove him from his position. Craddick's refusal to hear any motion from the floor of the House regarding his removal in those last days set the stage for the unfolding drama at the Capitol as the next legislative session approaches.

Republicans maintain a slim, 76-74, majority in the House. But the narrow partisan split, between social and fiscal conservatives, means House Democrats will play the role of king-maker. At 6 p.m. on Monday, according to Straus's represetative, Smithee called Straus and conceded his candidacy. State Rep. Dan Gattis also pulled out of the speaker's race.

Straus of San Antonio, a relative newcomer to Texas politics, emerged from a closed-door meeting Friday night as the unanimous choice of the so-called ABC  -- Anybody But Craddick-- coalition of Republicans. But the wealthy businessman only had 11 publicly declared Republican votes at the end of the gathering, which meant pleasing Democrats was key.

In a blog post on Sunday afternoon, Paul Burka of Texas Monthly wrote , "The frustrating thing about John Smithee is that he has chosen all his career to perform at 60 percent of his ability. He has never wanted to get out front, or draw upon all the respect he has earned over the years." He withdrew that Monday.

Rep. Senfronia Thompson of Houston, an uncommitted Democrat, removed her name as a candidate for Speaker and asked her pledged supporters to get behind Straus. Rep. Mark Strama (D-Austin) also pledged his support.

"It's a great opportunity for Texas to turn the page on the divisive politics of the past six years, and unite across party lines to address the challenges we face," said Strama. "Although Joe Straus is a committed Republican and I am a committed Democrat, we have worked together closely on energy efficiency and other issues; and I have great confidence in him to establish a fair environment and a level playing field in the Texas House, which is all any of us can ask for."

The official vote takes place on Jan. 13, opening day of the next Texas legislative session. But the pre-session campaign is going at full tilt and the race is all but decided as of Monday evening.

Tom Craddick made state history in becoming the first Republican Speaker in over 130 years. He is the longest-serving Republican in the Texas House of Representatives.

Straus released his list of 98 supporters Sunday evening (85 of them are listed below):

Democrats:
Alma Allen
Roberto Alonzo
Carol Alvarado
Rafael Anchia
Valinda Bolton
Lon Burnam
Joaquin Castro
Norma Chavez
Ellen Cohen
Garnet Coleman
Yvonne Davis
Joe Deshotel
Dawnna Dukes
Jim Dunnam
Craig Eiland
Kirk England
Joe Farias
David Farabee
Jessica Farrar
Kino Flores
Stephen Frost
Pete Gallego
Helen Giddings
Veronica Gonzalez
Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles
Roland Gutierrez
Joe Heflin
Ana Hernandez
Abel Herrero
Scott Hochberg
Terri Hodge
Mark Homer
Chuck Hopson
Donna Howard
Carol Kent
Tracy King
David Leibowitz
Eddie Lucio
Diana Maldonado
Barbara Mallory Caraway
Marisa Marquez
Armando Martinez
Trey Martinez Fischer
Ruth