At a packed press conference at the State Capitol earlier today, state Rep. Joe Straus (R-San Antonio), front-runner in the speaker election, declared, “the November elections are now over. The legislators are now working for the people of Texas.”

"Joe, it looks like the eyes of Texas are upon you," joked state Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-San Antonio), commenting on the packed Rotunda floor ringed by a horseshoe of spectators in the balcony.

Straus, flanked by both Democratic and Republican state representatives, announced a list of 94 names supporting his bid to become the next Speaker of the Texas House. The list includes all five El Paso House delegation.

“I’m honored to be supported now by 94 of my colleagues to serve as the next speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. And that number is growing … I just haven’t has much of a chance to reach out and return some phone calls,” said Straus.

Straus explained how he aimed to meet with every member of the House over the course of the week in order to “better understand the needs of their districts and to build trust and confidence in the legislative process of this institution.”

“I would also like to thank Tom Craddick. He should be honored for his historic public service,” said Straus.

When asked about his position on Indian gaming, Straus said he had addressed the issue of his family’s involvement in racing and would continue to stay away from the issue, not allowing it to be a distraction from his speakership.

“My stance is, as Speaker, going to be influenced greatly by the position of the Texas House and my fellow members,” said Straus.

Straus ended the press conference saying “we have a 140 days to do an awful lot of work,” that he was proud of his “long Republican roots and credentials,” and that Democrats and Republicans would “come together to do good work for the House and for the State of Texas.”

Since Craddick dropped out of the Speaker race yesterday, state Rep. John Smithee (R-Amarillo) has emerged as Straus’ only credible opponent.
Smithee, a state representative since 1985 who is viewed as a social conservative, claimed a “higher source” would ultimately decide whom the next Texas House Speaker was.

As well as standing considerably to the right of Straus, Smithee is suspected of being a stalking horse for Craddick.

“The very fact that all of Cradick’s supporters are supporting him means that the same people who are backing Craddick are backing him and that’s why it’s not going to work,” said former District 78 state Rep. Pat Haggerty, who served as the only Republican in the El Paso delegation.

Commenting upon whether Straus’ announcement of 94 names meant he had the speakership lock-stock-and-barrel, Haggerty called the list, “about as big a lock as you're gonna get.”

“Anybody else who wants to try to get in can try to get in, but when you're on a winning team, nobody wants to get off and go on to a losing team,” said Haggerty.

Haggerty added that as a speaker, Straus could lead the legislature in a more bipartisan direction.

“The whole idea of being speaker that is you’re not working with 30 individuals … the speaker's job is to make sure the process works,” said Haggerty, who said he thinks Straus would be “just as good for El Paso as he will be for every other town in Texas.”

Indeed, Straus hoped that if he became Speaker it would mean “good things” for El Paso.

“I’ve got the entire El Paso delegation that I’m working with and who are supportive of my candidacy. All parts of the state are important. I think I’ve been supportive of their agenda in the past and will continue to be,”
said Straus.

When asked if this agenda meant issues like CHIP, funding for BRAC and helping college students with tuition, Straus replied in the affirmative.

“Yes. And I’ll look to the El Paso delegation to direct me to what is important for their community. I know that we’ll have a good relationship,” said Straus.

And as for El Paso being way up I-10 from the Capitol?

“Not gonna be a problem,” he said.