| The momentum is building against Craddick.
Conservative Republican Robert Talton (Houston) pledged his support for moderate Brian McCall (Plano) to be the next speaker of the Texas House.
Rumors had been swirling about the possibility of Talton entering the race to gain leverage to chair the committee on Civil Practices.
Currently Talton chairs the Urban Affairs Committee and is the first GOP chair to openly support someone other than Tom Craddick.
In a statement on Quorum Report:
Talton said, "As I think the public will see when the members speak, there is a tremendous interest in seeing new leadership in the Speaker's office. My singular focus has been on achieving that goal. I offered myself for consideration only as a means to achieve new leadership".
Talton continued, "Over the last several days I have personally visited with Brian. I believe he possesses the qualities we need in a Speaker. He shares my belief that this is a campaign for leadership of the "people's house". As we have learned over the last several legislative sessions, all politics is local. State Representatives have a closeness to their districts and constituents unlike other state office holders."
"Individually we have an obligation to represent these interests and these voices should be heard - the people's voices. Those voices should not be diminished by those in power, by the special interests or by those who seek favor at the hands of government. I can and frequently do, disagree philosophically with my colleagues but that does not diminish the importance of having their voices heard. A Speaker has an obligation to let those voices be heard and more importantly to allow members to vote in a manner that best represents their districts," Talton said.
"Brian McCall shares this philosophy and I am proud to join his effort to become the next Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives," Talton concluded. |
