Tag Archives: Speaker’s race

It sure looks like Dennis Bonnen will be the next Speaker

The Speaker’s race is over before it started, basically. State Rep. Dennis Bonnen announced Monday that he has support from 109 members to become the next speaker of the Texas House. That number, if it holds, is more than enough … Continue reading

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on It sure looks like Dennis Bonnen will be the next Speaker

Now how about that Speaker’s race?

It’s a little different now. Democrats picked up 12 state House seats and are now confident they’ll have a stronger hand in electing the next leader. It’s an outlook even some Republicans agree with, although they’ll only say so privately. … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2018, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Zerwas out, Bonnen in for Speaker

A harbinger of intrigue. State Rep. John Zerwas, a Richmond Republican, has withdrawn from the race for speaker of the Texas House, he confirmed to The Texas Tribune on Sunday evening. “I am grateful for the opportunities I have had … Continue reading

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Four makes seven

Rep. Four Price files for Speaker, making him the sixth Republican and seventh member to do so. State Rep. Four Price, R-Amarillo, filed Thursday for speaker of the Texas House, making him the sixth Republican to enter an already crowded … Continue reading

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Four makes seven

Ron Reynolds reports to jail

We’ll see how long a year lasts. State Rep. Ron Reynolds has turned himself in to authorities in Montgomery County to begin serving his year-long jail sentence. Reynolds, a Democrat from Missouri City, was convicted in 2015 on misdemeanor charges … Continue reading

Posted in Scandalized!, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Ron Reynolds reports to jail

And then there were six

Five Republicans for Speaker, six in total. State Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, filed on Friday to run for speaker of the Texas House. “After prayerful consideration, discussions with my family, and at the urging of my House colleagues, today … Continue reading

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on And then there were six

One more for Speaker

And then there were five. State Rep. Travis Clardy, R-Nacogdoches, filed Monday morning to run for speaker of the Texas House, making him the fourth Republican to throw his hat in the ring in the race to succeed retiring House … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on One more for Speaker

Rep. Eric Johnson declares for Speaker

It’s not as crazy as it sounds. State Rep. Eric Johnson, D-Dallas, filed Wednesday to run for speaker of the Texas House, making him the first Democrat to enter the race to succeed retiring House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio. … Continue reading

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Speaker Straus not running for re-election

A bombshell no one saw coming. Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, a San Antonio Republican, announced Wednesday he will not run for re-election in 2018, a decision that has the potential to upend the political balance of power in the … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2018, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

State Rep. Larry Gonzales to retire

This is an opportunity for the Democrats. State Rep. Larry Gonzales, R-Round Rock, is not running for re-election. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve HD52 and this great state,” Gonzales wrote Wednesday night on Facebook. “We … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on State Rep. Larry Gonzales to retire

Court throws out State House map

Once more, with feeling. Parts of the Texas House map must be redrawn ahead of the 2018 elections because lawmakers intentionally discriminated against minorities in crafting several legislative districts, federal judges ruled on Thursday. A three-judge panel in San Antonio … Continue reading

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Straus not very excited about Patrick’s potty bill

Take this for what it’s worth. Texas House Speaker Joe Straus doesn’t think passing a transgender bathroom bill is a pressing issue state lawmakers need to address during the 2017 legislative session. “This isn’t the most urgent concern,” Straus, R-San … Continue reading

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Runoff watch: Legislative races

I’m going to spend a few posts looking at the runoff elections that will be on the ballot this May. Primary runoffs are completely different than regular primaries, mostly because the races involved are low profile and only the hardest … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Rep. Scott Turner not running for re-election

Another one heads for the exit. State Rep. Scott Turner, the Frisco Republican who unsuccessfully ran for speaker this year, has decided not to seek re-election. Turner announced his decision in an email to constituents Thursday, hinting that he is … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Keffer to retire

The original Straus gang shrinks again. State Rep. Jim Keffer, an Eastland Republican who was one of the earliest supporters of House Speaker Joe Straus, has decided not to seek reelection next year, according to a statement he prepared for … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Keffer to retire

Louie, Louie

Great news, everyone. Christmas isn’t over yet. U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Tyler, announced Sunday morning that he will challenge House Speaker John A. Boehner of Ohio to be the leader of the House Republicans. Gohmert is, for now, likely a … Continue reading

Posted in National news | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Louie, Louie

Day One of the Lege

What do we know so far? Same old Rick Perry. Gov. Rick Perry called for tax relief and a lean approach to budgeting as he addressed the Senate, even as the state faces a lawsuit from school districts over funding … Continue reading

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Day One of the Lege

Simpson in, Hughes out to challenge Straus for Speaker

It started with an announcement that Rep. David Simpson would make the Speaker’s race a three-way, which I assure you sounds dirtier than it actually is. Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, filed papers to run for Speaker of the House, he … Continue reading

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Time for another Speaker’s race

It’s like a rite of spring, except it happens in alternate Januaries. House Speaker Joe Straus’ bid for a third term as leader of the 150-member state House may not come as quickly or as easily as he had anticipated. … Continue reading

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Time for another Speaker’s race

It must be time for another Speaker’s Race

Those fun-loving chuckleheads at FreedomWorks are at it again. FreedomWorks, which helped insurgent Ted Cruz snatch the GOP nod for U.S. Senate from Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, said Monday it will put its muscle behind toppling Texas House Speaker Joe … Continue reading

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

More map feedback

In addition to AG Abbott’s pitiful whining, a few other parties have been heard from regarding the interim legislative map. First, Speaker Joe Straus performs his duty as a Republican. Here’s his statement: “As the panel of three federal judges … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A few thoughts from Opening Day

Just a few random bits from today’s festivities… – In the end and despite the teabagger footstomping, the Speaker’s Race turned out to be a big nothingburger, which was what most rational people expected all along. There were a few … Continue reading

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Some people just can’t handle prosperity

Infight away, y’all! House Republicans have launched open warfare against one another as they vent spleen and fight over whether Joe Straus should remain speaker. In open letters and news releases that came very close to being vitriolic, members on … Continue reading

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Some people just can’t handle prosperity

Beyond today

I’m having a hard time right now thinking about anything past last night, but here’s a Trib story from Sunday that takes a look ahead to the legislative and other battles that will follow. I think you can take some … Continue reading

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Beyond today

Chisum running for Speaker

We may have ourselves another Speaker’s race this January. State Rep. Warren Chisum is delivering a letter to colleagues today saying he will run for House speaker next year, challenging Speaker Joe Straus, his fellow Republican. He says the speaker … Continue reading

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Interview with State Rep. Armando Walle

State Rep. Armando Walle is finishing his first term representing HD140 in northeast Harris County. Walle won a contested primary in 2008 against Craddick D Kevin Bailey, which helped contribute to the downfall of the former Speaker. At 32 years … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Interview with State Rep. Sylvester Turner

State Rep. Sylvester Turner is one of the senior members of the Houston-area delegation, having served HD139 since he was first elected in 1988. He doesn’t have a campaign webpage, so let me refer you to his Texas Tribune biography … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Keep yapping, Leo

Blah blah blah. State Rep. Leo Berman said House Speaker Joe Straus’ ascent to the position was a “sham” based on promises to House Democrats and vowed he would offer the opposing party no leeway if elected Speaker next session. … Continue reading

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Keep yapping, Leo

Berman to challenge Straus

I can’t say I’ve been thrilled with Joe Straus as Speaker of the House. He’s worlds better than Tom Craddick was, which still isn’t saying that much, but he hasn’t been all that friendly to his largely Democratic group of … Continue reading

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

We’re not likely to have a Speaker’s race

Jason Embry makes the case that the start of the next legislative session will be much calmer than the previous one, and it’s hard to argue. Republican Joe Straus finished his first session as speaker of the Texas House well-positioned … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Two Trib primary stories

The Trib has done a series of good, informative stories on primary battles across the state, which I recommend you read. Two of their most recent are especially worthwhile: First is HD43, in which freshman Dem Rep. Tara Rios Ybarra … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Two Trib primary stories

McCall not running for re-election

State Rep. Brian McCall (R, Plano), one of the Republicans that helped oust Tom Craddick as Speaker, will not run for re-election next year. McCall, 51, said he is looking at other opportunities because it is time to try something … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on McCall not running for re-election

TPJ files complaint with Ethics Commission against Craddick

Texans for Public Justice has filed a complaint with the Texas Ethics Commission against former Speaker Tom Craddick, alleging that he obfuscated campaign donations made to several Democratic supporters of his prior to the 2008 primaries. From their press release … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on TPJ files complaint with Ethics Commission against Craddick

Kino Flores not running for re-election

The March primary season just got a little more interesting. Embattled state Rep. Ismael “Kino” Flores announced Tuesday that he will not seek re-election to an eighth term in 2010. Citing recent indictments handed down against him, the legislator said … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Kino Flores not running for re-election