Senator Eliot Shapleigh - El Paso, Texas

Tom Craddick

Efforts to dethrone Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick appear to be sinking, according to a local state representative who has been critical of the Midland Republican.

Last week, Republican State Rep. Todd Smith of Bedford told Texas Weekly, an online political newsletter, that the results of primary races around the state have convinced him that Craddick will be re-elected speaker next year unless Democrats win a majority in the state House.

"I think depending on what happens in November, there certainly could be a Democratic majority," Smith said Monday. "At this point, he's got more Craddick Democrats than there are anti-Craddick Republicans, and if that's true ... then it's mathematically certain that Craddick will win the speaker's race."

The Texas House has 79 Republicans and 71 Democrats.

House speakers are elected by the chamber's 150 members. Craddick's chances for re-election at the start of the 2009 legislative session hinge on the number of supporters who win re-election.

Smith's declaration was the most visible sign that the interests of a bipartisan band of House members hoping to replace Craddick were not served by the March primary. In tight races, some key Craddick supporters won while some outspoken critics were defeated.

Smith said he is trying to improve his relationship with the speaker but maintained that he is not endorsing Craddick.

"It's no secret that we've had our disagreements, and I presume that we will continue to have our disagreements," Smith said. "That doesn't mean there doesn't come a time that the best thing I can do for the people I represent is to build a constructive relationship with the House leadership."

Craddick has long faced criticism that he wields too much control over the state House and that he punishes those who oppose him.

During the last legislative session, Smith was a vocal detractor, going so far as to file resolutions organizing an election to replace him as speaker.

Smith said Monday that his legislative goals were hampered during the last session because of his opposition of Craddick.

"It's obvious that there are consequences for not being on the leadership's team," Smith said.

Smith said that if he's re-elected, he does not know who would get his vote for speaker in January. "My vote is still very much in play," he said.

Smith was unopposed in the March primary.

He will face Democrat Kalandra Wheeler in November. Wheeler said she would vote against Craddick if elected.