Texas House elects Straus as speaker

AUSTIN (AP/KXAN) - Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, has been officially elected House Speaker unanimously as the powerful leader of its chamber.

The Legislature convened Tuesday a little more than an hour before Straus was named to replace Midland Republican Rep. Tom Craddick. Craddick dropped his bid for a fourth term as speaker this month when support coalesced around Straus.

Straus, the first Jewish speaker since Texas became a state, is a two-term Republican from San Antonio who has promised to bring bipartisanship and civility to a chamber that had been sharply divided.

"We must reach across the aisle, reach across the rotunda," said Straus. "Let's promise ouselves. Let there be no walls in this House."

Straus received a standing ovation for his speech, and Craddick, who in 2003 became the first Republican speaker since the Civil War era, watched as his historic tenure ended.

Texas speakers are one of the three top legislative leaders, but is the only one elected to the post only by his peers. The speaker can set the agenda and appoint committee chairmanships.

(See related items for the video that was produced and narrated by Jay Root of the Associated Press, during former House Speaker Tom craddick's tumultuous final weekend of the 80th Legislature in May 2007. The video takes a look at the troubles Craddick had and what some Republicans said led to his final downfall from his powerful post.)