Texas House speaker will not seek another term

Dallas Morning News:
Texas House Speaker Joe Straus announced Wednesday he won't seek re-election, setting off a 14-month scramble for a new speaker and potentially opening the door to a more conservative GOP agenda in the House.

The San Antonio Republican said "the time is right" for him to quit presiding over the House after a record-tying five legislative sessions as speaker, he told reporters.

"I know it is for my family."

Under Straus, the House has been the last bulwark for business-oriented, socially moderate Republicans in state politics. For several sessions, it has served as a brake on the ascendancy of movement conservatives — though only sporadically and rarely for very long.

Two House members have announced they want the speaker's post, and more entrants are likely. On Wednesday, moderate conservative Republican John Zerwas of Richmond declared his candidacy, joining staunchly conservative Weatherford Republican Phil King.
...
Straus tended to side with Democrats in blocking conservative reforms so many Texans will be glad to see him go.  I am hopeful a conservative stalwart will replace him.  Straus got the job with support from less than a dozen Republicans supporting him while getting the majority of his votes from Democrats.  He joined the Democrats in blocking school choice laws in the recent session.

You can find more od the things he did to thwart conservatives here.

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