By Shelley Kofler, KERA News
Austin, TX – Republican House members backing the reelection of House Speaker Tom Craddick emerged from a closed door meeting tonight to confirm the Midland Republican is dropping out of the race.
Representative Warren Chisum of Pampa, a close Craddick suporter, said Craddick realized he does not have the necessary votes to win the Speaker's race. Chisum said many Republican House members who have supported Craddick will now back Republican Rep. John Smithee of Amarillo.
Smithee told reporters he will be working the phones and asking House Members for their votes. The winning Speaker candidate will need the votes of at least 76 representatives.
Craddick's decision to drop out of the race followed San Antonio Republican Joe Straus' naming more than 85 representatives who have pledged to vote for him.
Straus is supported by a group of anti-Craddick Republicans and a majority of House Democrats.