Texas Politicians Wanting to Oust House Speaker Tom Craddick - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

Two local lawmakers are joining the rebellion against the Texas House Speaker. Democrats released a list of their own party members who will not choose Republican Tom Craddick of Midland to be re-elected as speaker "no matter what."

Critics call him a mean spirited dictator, while supporters think he's a strong, principled leader. Among Craddick's critics is Democrat Joe Heflin of Crosbyton. And state Republican Delwin Jones went against his own Republican party two years ago in the attempt to have Craddick removed as speaker. The effort failed back then. Now, here's the rematch.

"There are 12 Republicans who have aligned against him publicly and 64 democrats who have signed a statement that they would not vote for him," says Jones. If Jones is right, 76 votes would be enough to oust Craddick.

But then what? Someone else has to find the 76 votes needed to become speaker? "I am one of the contenders and I have been placing myself in the position of the alternate if others fail so I could be a back up candidate," said Jones.  

Jones says Texas Republicans meet Friday and we might know more after that. The actual vote for speaker is January 13th.

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