AUSTIN -- Midland Republican Tom Craddick relinquished his grip on the Texas House speaker's gavel Sunday, withdrawing his re-election bid as opposition to his continued leadership appeared insurmountable.

"I talked to the speaker. He has dropped his candidacy and released his pledges," said state Rep. Will Hartnett, R-Dallas, one of Craddick's top lieutenants, as he walked into a meeting at a downtown Austin steakhouse. Craddick dodged reporters' questions as he entered the restaurant, but he was expected to speak to his supporters at the meeting.

The competition to lead the chamber did not end Sunday, though. Some of Craddick's closest allies said they would support conservative state Rep. John Smithee, R-Amarillo, and not state Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, the candidate Craddick's opponents have rallied behind.

Craddick's withdrawal came as Straus, a two-term legislator and wealthy businessman, released a list with the names of 88 legislators who pledged to support him as House speaker.

The names of all five El Paso House legislators were on the list, which comprised 72 Democrats and 16 Republicans.

To win one of the most powerful posts in state government, a speaker candidate must receive support from a majority of the 150 House legislators.

"Having received the commitment of a strong majority of my colleagues, it is my goal to restore civility, fairness and transparency to the House of Representatives and its public-policy making process," Straus said in a prepared statement.

State Rep.-elect Marisa Marquez was the last El Paso legislator to commit to vote for the San Antonio lawmaker.

Marquez said after a phone conversation with Straus on Sunday that she felt assured he would understand El Paso's needs.

"I'm sure he'll recognize us over here," Marquez said.

State Rep. Norma Chávez, D-El Paso, said Straus could open the door for legislation that would allow the Tiguas to restart gaming at Speaking Rock Casino.

Straus' father is chairman of Retama Entertainment Group Inc., a horse track in San Antonio, and Straus voted in 2007 for a measure that would have allowed the Tiguas to operate their casino.

"No one is trying to run any (gambling) agenda, and I don't believe Joe Straus is," Chávez said. "I believe it's going to be driven by the members."

Straus' support for gaming and a perceived weak stance on anti-abortion issues are troubling to some of the most conservative Republican legislators in the House.

Hartnett said he and other conservatives would strongly support Smithee. And, he said, they planned to start calling legislators who have pledged to Straus to persuade them to support Smithee.

Straus, he said, is too inexperienced to lead the House.

"We have no idea what his governing style will be, or if he's capable of governing," Hartnett said.

Smithee is chairman of the House Insurance Committee and has been in the Legislature since 1985.

Hartnett said he expected Craddick would also support Smithee's candidacy.

"Obviously, it's a horse race," he said.

In 2003, Craddick became the first Republican Texas House speaker since Reconstruction. Since 2007, he had come under fire for what his opponents say is a dictatorial leadership style. He survived two rebellions against his leadership in 2007. His support faded after the Nov. 4 elections cut the GOP majority in the House to 76-74.

State Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, said conditions in the House had deteriorated under Craddick's leadership as he insisted on remaining in control.

Because 85 legislators were already pledged to Straus, Pickett said, Smithee was unlikely to gather enough support before the legislative session begins Jan. 13.

"I think it's over," Pickett said. "I'm just glad we have a different speaker, and it's going to be an exciting session for El Paso."