In a shocking and completely unexpected development in Texas politics, Republican Joe Straus announced today that he will not seek re-election, either to his Alamo Heights State Representative seat, or as Speaker of the Texas House, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
In a statement, Straus praised 'significant gains made in K-12 and higher education, water, transportation, and mental health care.'
"Even has politics has become more tribal and divisive, I have led by bringing people together and working across party lines," he said. "We have have fallen short at times, but on our best days, we have shown that there is still a place for civility and statesmanship in American politics."
Cal Jillson, a political observer at SMU, says this is the ultimate victory of the movement and Tea Party wing of the Texas Republican Party.
"Joe Straus has continued to represent the business wing of the Republican Party over the past decade, over a rising Tea Party wing," he said.
Straus has long been reviled by hard line conservatives for killing key conservative initiatives, and, with hard liners Dan Patrick leading the State Senate and Gov. Abbott in the governor's mansion, Straus this session stood alone in blocking several measures, including the so called 'Bathroom Bill,' which Jillson says would have pleased Republican primary voters, but damaged the state's economy.
"It's a loss to San Antonio, to Texas politics in general," he siad. "Joe Straus has consistently acted as a brake to radical Republican policies in the House."
Straus cited the fact that he was Speaker of the House for five terms, tying the longevity for a House Speaker in Texas history.
"A confident leader knows when to give it back," he said. "I want to be able to speak about issues that I care about, and the reception that I have gotten as I have spoken out has been very encouraging. There comes a time that someone ought to come to the conclusion that it's enough in one place."
He pointed out that the previous two Speakers were defeated, either in their home districts, or by a vote of the House.
Straus was facing a growing insurrection by conservative House members, who were attempting to change House rules to allow only members of the majority Republican Party to vote for Speaker. Currently, all House members vote for Speaker, and conservatives have always complained that Straus has been elected Speaker with the strong support of Democrats.
"The Tea Party wing will be fairly unconstrained," Jillson said. "You will have Gov. Abbott going to work with Lt. Gov. Patrick, and with a more compliant House you're going to get bathroom bills, you're going to get more restrictions on abortion, you are going to get more stringent sanctuary city regulations."
Jillson compared Straus' decision to step down to yesterday's announcement that Sen. Jeff Flake to leave the Senate.
"In Texas you have Joe Straus, who has long represented the more business friendly wing of the Republican Party," he said. "There is a more moderate business friendly element in the Republican party is concluding that challenging that challenging Trump and the Tea Party wing is more trouble than good."