Rep. Eric Johnson and William
State Rep. Eric Johnson, D-Dallas, said today (Wednesday, Oct. 25) that he is considering a run for Speaker of the House after current five-term Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, decided not to run for re-election.
The Texas Speaker of the House is elected on the first day of the new session by a vote of all members of the Texas House of Representatives. Republicans have had a majority in the Texas House since 2002 and voted for a Republican Speaker in each session in that time. Democrats have consistently backed Straus, who rewarded them with preferred committee assignments.
Any member of the House may enter the race for Speaker.
“I sincerely thank Speaker Straus for his service and leadership over the nearly eight years I have served with him in the Texas House,” Johnson said. “One-party rule has been the norm in Texas for far too long. This state, like Washington,. D.C., would benefit from more bipartisanship. Having a Democrat in one of the top three positions in state government would be good for Texas.”
Since making the announcement earlier this afternoon, Johnson said by text message, “Response so far has been great!”
— David Taffet
