Big News in Texas Speaker’s Race!

With his own challenge to Texas House Speaker Joe Straus going nowhere, Rep. Bryan Hughes has pulled out of the race and endorsed the next sucker, er, challenger, Rep. David Simpson.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December, 10 2012

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Hughes Endorses David Simpson for Speaker

(Mineola) Bryan Hughes today issued the following statement regarding Representative David Simpson’s filing for Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives:

“I wholeheartedly endorse my friend David Simpson for Speaker of the House.  David is uniquely qualified to lead the House at this pivotal time in our history.  David Simpson has earned his reputation as an eminently fair, highly principled, and hardworking legislator.

He has demonstrated that he has both the courage to stand alone and the wisdom and humility to build broad coalitions.  These are sorely lacking in politics today, and necessary to accomplish the great work of the Texas House.

For some months now I have been traveling the state and visiting with my fellow State Representatives, with candidates, and with our employers: the people of Texas.  After countless meetings and conversations, I am more convinced than ever that we need new leadership in the Texas House.  I am also convinced that the strongest candidate to bring in that new leadership is David Simpson.

So I urge all of my colleagues and soon-to-be colleagues in the Texas House to give David their full support.  I know that a growing number of us are already behind David, and I am confident that the House is well on its way to having a new Speaker.

I owe a tremendous debt to hundreds of Texans who have helped me in this campaign.  So many have prayed for us, have volunteered, have contributed financially, and helped us in a host of other ways.  I am very thankful for this overwhelming backing, and I humbly ask for all of my friends to give David Simpson their full support.”

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Yawn.

Actually, it is more than a yawn because I really do like Rep. Simpson, even if I don’t like the fact that he has come out publicly against school choice. I don’t think that anyone questions his integrity, which means he cannot be bought by big lobbyists, or, as Mark McCaig called them on his radio show yesterday, the most “feared creatures” in Austin.  And I like that he promotes much of Ron Paul’s liberty agenda.

But alas, numbers are still numbers. As Robert Miller (one of those feared creatures?) said, Speaker Straus has a solid 85 or so votes that aren’t going anywhere. So even if Simpson can pick up some support where Hughes couldn’t, it won’t be enough.

The difference between Hughes and Simpson is that Simpson has a shot at picking up some Democratic support. His stated opposition to school choice, and his focus on process instead of Hughes focus on Straus’ cooperation with the Dems, might well appeal to a few Dems that are unhappy with the way redistricting was handled. But if that happens, what do critics of Straus, such as Empower Texans, various Tea Party groups, and the kids at Agendawise, do? After all, their primary case against Straus is that he cooperated with the Dems. See the problem Simpson has? Besides which, how many three term or longer Republican reps are going to take a chance on supporting Simpson and lose their standing with Straus?

Sorry folks. While it will be more entertaining having Simpson as a challenger, the results will remain the same.

And frankly, that’s good for Texas. Straus has delivered for conservatives in the two sessions that he has presided over and I expect no less this time. I also very much like that he isn’t afraid to talk about the big, structural problems that we need to address in Texas, such as water, transportation infrastructure, and long term debt. Remember when the kids complained that Straus was focusing on the important stuff so that people would stop talking about the race for Speaker? He hasn’t stopped doing it and unfortunately for Rep. Simpson, the majority of the House appreciates him for it.