Local state Rep. Doug Miller, R-New Braunfels, voiced his support Monday for fellow Republican legislator Joe Straus as the latter looked to solidify his place as the next speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.
Straus on Monday spoke at a news conference in Austin to announce that he had gathered a majority 94 House members in his corner, including the incoming District 73 Rep. Miller, in his bid to become the first new House speaker in the Lone Star State since 2003.
His announcement comes a day after Tom Craddick, who has held the position since that time, said he would not be seeking a fourth term as speaker.
“From an outside perspective and having visited with a number of members, there was a feeling among a majority of the House that they wanted a more open process and not such a controlling leadership,” Miller said. “I think Mr. Craddick understood that there was a great deal of concern about his leadership and his ability to continue as leader of the House of Representatives. In respect for that, he withdrew from the race, and I think that’s honorable on his part.”
Craddick had been under fire from some in the House for allowing lobby groups to wield too much power over legislation. After honoring Craddick for his “historic service,” Straus told reporters Monday that special interests would not wield the same authority on his watch.
“There's been this feeling that from time to time there’s been undue pressure and influence from special interests, and I want the members to know that I’m going to protect them to do what their districts want them to do on issues,” Straus said. “The lobby plays an important role in forming public policy, but they shouldn't dominate, and members should feel free to act in the interests of people who sent them here.”
Outside of Craddick, Straus, a San Antonio resident who represents portions of Bexar County, faced opposition primarily from Amarillo Republican John Smithee. But with nearly 100 of the 150 House members willing to back Straus’ nomination, Smithee and fellow Speaker hopeful John Gatti issued a concession statement late Monday saying:
“It has become apparent in the last 12 hours that Rep. Straus carries enough votes to become the next speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, and that any effort to challenge him is not in the best interest of the Texas House. ... Our priority is to take the focus off speaker politics and concentrate on how we can best serve the people of Texas in the 81st Legislature."
An official vote to elect the position will take place when the Legislature convenes on Jan. 13.
Craddick was the first Republican speaker of the Texas House since William Henry Sinclair left office in 1873. Straus could likely be the second, and Miller said he was the first of this session’s freshman Republican representatives to back his appointment.
“I was on his team early on,” he said.
Straus was first elected to the House in 2005. He served in the administrations for both George H. W. Bush and Ronald Reagan and is a principal in the insurance and executive benefits firm of Watson, Mazur, Bennett & Straus LLC, according to the House Web site.
Miller, who narrowly defeated outgoing District 73 Rep. Nathan Macias in the March primary election and Daniel Boone in the general election to earn his seat, will represent Comal, Gillespie, Kendall and Bandera counties in the House. New Braunfels’ other House representative, Edmund Kuempel, who serves Guadalupe, Wilson and Gonzales counties, had not returned repeated calls as of late Monday.
“I think (Straus) will be an excellent chairman,” Miller said. “He comes from a strong conservative background. He’s got the experience, and is a good, conservative businessperson. We’re going to need that approach moving forward. Additionally, I think he will allow the members to better represent their districts.”
— The Associated Press contributed to this report.
