AUSTIN House Speaker Joe Straus picked up the support of key North Texas tea party lawmakers this week, making his re-election to the post appear inevitable. But there still should be a public vote on the matter in January, a campaign consultant to several staunchly conservative GOP House members said Friday.
Consultant Luke Macias said last weeks election sweep by Republican conservatives, both nationally and in Texas, makes it urgent that conservatives hold themselves and their colleagues to account.
Nothing could be better for the speakers race on the first day of the session than to have a vote, said Macias, who represents several of Straus most vocal House critics, such as GOP Reps. Jonathan Stickland of Bedford and Matt Schaefer of Tyler. Let the chips fall, and then move on to the business of governing.
Macias said Stickland, Schaefer and other House members who support Straus challenger, freshman Rep. Scott Turner, R-Frisco, have long been aware of the discouraging math that makes Turner the longest of shots. But they still want a first-day vote, and Macias charged that Straus allies are fiercely resisting it.
Its about voting your district, Macias said, using legislative shorthand for when members break party or other lines to vote the way they believe their constituents would want.
He said conservative activists blame Straus for not allowing votes for tighter spending rules, more abortion restrictions and a constitutional amendment to bar government from putting a burden on religious liberty. Straus supporters noted that other bills Macias cited died in House committees, a sign that the majority was working its will in the chamber.
In none of Straus three earlier runs for speaker was there a contested vote as the session opened. Former Speaker Tom Craddick exited the 2009 contest days before Straus, R-San Antonio, was initially elevated to the Houses top spot. In 2011 and 2013, other House members announced bids for the job but withdrew before a vote.
This week, the pressure to shut down Turners bid intensified.
On Monday night, freshman Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, shocked some audience members at a meeting of the Northeast Tarrant Tea Party by saying Straus was a shoo-in and Turner was unqualified.
Late Thursday, tea party-backed North Texas House members such as Ron Simmons of Carrollton, Drew Springer of Muenster and James Frank of Wichita Falls issued a letter in which they joined Capriglione in endorsing Straus and saying they were proud of the accomplishments of the Texas House in recent years.
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Conservatives demand vote on House speakership as Straus gathers tea party backing