| UPDATE: Not Craddick - 76, Craddick Ceiling - 62, Toss-Up - 12 - Previous Tally: Not Craddick 74, Craddick Ceiling 63, Toss-Up 13
- Rep. Al Edwards declared his support for Rep. Turner, moving him out of Craddick's camp to "Not Craddick"
- Rep. Solomons declares his candidacy for Speaker, moving him out of "Toss-Up" and to "Not Craddick"
- Based on public documentation, the new tally of where House Members stand on the Speaker's race is: New Tally: Not Craddick - 76, Craddick Ceiling - 62, Toss-Up - 12
I reported last week that Rep. Solomons (R) was not in Craddick's camp. Looks like I was right. Republican State Rep. Burt Solomons has filed for Speaker, according to the Texas Ethics Commission. Rep. Solomons (R) had the following to say (from Trailblazers blog -- go there to read his full statement): "I did file this morning. I believe it's time for a change," he said. "We are in a position now, as Republicans and for the entire body, to have a different governing style. ... I've been a past supporter of Tommy (Craddick), I like him, but I think it's a whole different management style. I've had a number of members calling me about problems they forsee. We (the GOP) have been trying to govenrm the House and we're at a crucial turning point, and I think it's time to let another Republican - since we have a slim majority - have a shot at how we're going to govern."
As I reported in my post on the Speaker's race last week, Rep. Solomons had been considered a "Toss-Up" for his previous statements about not enjoying how Craddick ran the House. From a May 27, 2007 article in the Dallas Morning News: "This will be dealt with in the rules next session," said House Financial Institution Chairman Burt Solomons, R-Carrollton, who carried the House rules through its ratification in January and said it was "never the intent of the rules" to give the speaker absolute authority. "Whether I do it again, or someone else does. But it will be dealt with."
Tom Craddick & Dave Carney -- still waiting on your numbers. |
