Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, published a list of 85 members who've pledged to vote for him for speaker of the Texas House.
AUSTIN, TX January 4, 2009 – Today Representative Joe Straus announced that he has secured in excess of the required 76 votes to be elected Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. The list of commitments is attached to this correspondence.
Comments by Rep. Straus
"Since entering the House I have been guided by the very straightforward principle of representing my District first, while continually evaluating what is best for Texas -- the way in which a democratic body should function.
The needs of special interests and partisanship will take a back seat to doing what is right for our State at this critical time.
It is time for a new tone and an atmosphere of trust in the Texas House of Representatives.
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.
Speaker Tom Craddick has served with distinction in the Texas House for four decades. I have great respect for him personally, and honor his service to the State."
In the coming days, I look forward to meeting with each Representative and discussing their district's priorities.
The list:
Democrats: Alma Allen, Roberto Alonzo, Carol Alvarado, Rafael Anchia, Valinda Bolton, Lon Burnam, Joaquin Castro, Norma Chavez, Ellen Cohen, Garnet Coleman, Yvonne Davis, Joe Deshotel, Dawnna Dukes, Jim Dunnam, Craig Eiland, Kirk England, Joe Farias, David Farabee, Jessica Farrar, Kino Flores, Stephen Frost, Pete Gallego, Helen Giddings, Veronica Gonzalez, Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles, Roland Gutierrez, Joe Heflin, Ana Hernandez, Abel Herrero, Scott Hochberg, Terri Hodge, Mark Homer, Chuck Hopson, Donna Howard, Carol Kent, Tracy King, David Leibowitz, Eddie Lucio, Diana Maldonado, Barbara Mallory Caraway, Marisa Marquez, Armando Martinez, Trey Martinez Fischer, Ruth Jones McClendon, Jim McReynolds, Jose Menendez, Robert Miklos, Joe Moody, Elliott Naishtat, Rene Oliveira, Dora Olivo, Solomon Ortiz, Aaron Pena, Joe Pickett, Paula Pierson, Chente Quintanilla, Richard Raymond, Tara Rios Ybarra, Allan Ritter, Eddie Rodriguez, Patrick Rose, Mark Strama, Kristi Thibaut, Senfronia Thompson, Chris Turner, Allen Vaught, Marc Veasey, Mike Villarreal, Hubert Vo, Armando Walle.
Republicans: Dan Branch, Byron Cook, Rob Eissler, Gary Elkins, Charlie Geren, Delwin Jones, Jim Keffer, Edmund Kuempel, Brian McCall, Tommy Merritt, Doug Miller, Jim Pitts, Burt Solomons, Todd Smith, Joe Straus.
