AUSTIN – You only have to look at the signage outside Dallas Rep. Will Hartnett's office to gauge the shifting political fortunes in the Texas House.

The 2009 session of the Texas Legislature started off with a bang for San Antonio Republican Joe Straus, who was elected House speaker.

Just below Hartnett's nameplate is Tom Craddick's, the new occupant in what could be called losers' row.

As the 2009 session of the Texas Legislature convened Tuesday, the fall of the former House speaker and the election of San Antonio Republican Joe Straus changed the political dynamic for two Dallas-area lawmakers.

Instead of preparing to sponsor the measure that would make Craddick speaker, as he did last session, Hartnett, a key Craddick ally, was in his office entertaining his three sons.

By contrast, state Rep. Brian McCall of Plano, a persistent Craddick critic relegated last session to the back bench, was giving his mother a tour of the Capitol, while contemplating what plum committee assignments he wanted from the new speaker.

The political fortunes of those who play high-stakes politics can change on a dime, or at least in the careful maneuvering between legislative sessions.

Hartnett and McCall now appear headed in different directions – one up in power and prestige and the other down.

"There is a new day at the Capitol," Hartnett conceded. "We're in the process of having to rearrange our working relationships. The winning team has more input into the process."

McCall tried to keep his changing fortunes in perspective.

"I'm glad I'm up," he said. "I've been headed down too long."

The waiting game

At the beginning of the last legislative session, Hartnett was an important player in the re-election of Craddick as speaker.

He deftly managed Craddick's re-election two years ago, which came to a dramatic conclusion when Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, bowed out of the race.

Hartnett was rewarded with the chairmanship of the powerful regulated industries committee.

As the current session approached, Hartnett steadfastly stood by Craddick, even as it became clear the controversial speaker was losing traction.

"I was preparing to do it again," Hartnett said of steering the speaker vote through the House. "It's kind of a weight off my shoulders."

Now Hartnett has to worry about his political relevancy under the new leadership.

As a Craddick lieutenant, he could be punished. On the other hand, he's been in the House since 1991, which should help things.

He wants to stay on regulated industries and perhaps get a chairmanship with another committee.

"I have excellent seniority and should get my pick of committees," he said. "I have a great relationship with the new speaker."

In fact, he was part of the entourage that escorted Straus to the dais.

And Hartnett will enjoy a close relationship with the old speaker.

Craddick moved into the office space after Republican Frank Corte gave up his office to spare the former speaker a humbling trip to the basement.

"It was pure coincidence," Hartnett said.

Craddick is happy about the arrangement.

"Will and I are very good friends," he said. "I love it."

A victory lap

Before the House's first-day swearing-in ceremony, McCall usually gives his mother, Nellie, a tour of the Capitol. Tuesday was no different, except that this time, McCall was a member of the winning team.

He was one of the earliest in his party to raise questions about Craddick, only to be beaten down by calls for GOP solidarity.

His runs for speaker against Craddick never gained any traction, but he became in vogue when the drumbeat against Craddick intensified and Joe Straus became the consensus candidate to replace him.

"I'm looking forward to a fresh start," McCall said. "Joe's the right guy at the right time."

McCall was coy about his role under the new speaker.

And you couldn't tell from the ceremony that he was inside the loop. He didn't give any formal remarks and wasn't part of the nominating process. Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, introduced Straus and his family.

Yet, insiders say McCall is situated for a prime position. He said Tuesday he didn't want to be chairman of the influential appropriations committee, which some colleagues have speculated that he could be in line for.

"I'm not going to tell you I want, because if I don't get it, I would look bad," he joked.

His constituents were hopeful that he would land a solid committee chairmanship.

"There will clearly be more opportunities for him," said Mohamed Elibiary, a Republican precinct chair in McCall's district. "He's clearly better off with Straus as speaker."

McCall said there could still be tough days ahead for lawmakers, because Republicans hold only a slight 76-74 majority in the House.

"Everybody needs to get a flu shot and stay in good health," he said. "We're going to have some close votes."

Like McCall, Hartnett would like to see better days ahead.

"I'm hopeful we will all develop working relationships and the rifts will evaporate quickly," he said.