Changes

|office=Texas State Representative for<br> District 121 (Bexar County)

|office=Texas State Representative for<br> District 121 (Bexar County)

|term_start=January 2005

|term_start=January 2005

|term_end=January 2019

|term_end=January 8, 2019

|preceded=Elizabeth Ames Jones

|preceded=Elizabeth Ames Jones

|succeeded=

|succeeded=[[Steve Allison]]

|office2=Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives

|office2=Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives

|term_start2=January 2009

|term_start2=January 2009

|preceded2=Thomas Russell "Tom" Craddick

|preceded2=Thomas Russell "Tom" Craddick

|term_end2=January 2019

|term_end2=January 8, 2019

|succeeded2=

|succeeded2=Dennis Bonnen

}}

}}

'''Joseph Richard Straus, III''', known as '''Joe Straus''' (born September 1, 1959), is a [[Moderate Republican]] departing state representative from [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]], who has been since January 2009 the [[Speaker]] of the Texas House of Representatives. He was initially elected to the House in a special election held in January 2005 to succeed Elizabeth Ames Jones, who resigned from the legislature to join the [[Texas Railroad Commission]], a post she has since vacated in an unsuccessful bid for the Texas State Senate. A youthful admirer of the late [[U.S. Senator]] [[John Tower]], for whom he was once a part-time chauffeur, Straus has, like Tower, supported [[pro-abortion]] interests. His critics claim that he has also undermined [[free enterprise]] economics,<ref>http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=49917</ref> but he counters with the claim that he is a champion for economic development, transportation, and public education.

'''Joseph Richard Straus, III''', known as '''Joe Straus''' (born September 1, 1959), is a [[Moderate Republican]] former state representative from [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]], who served as [[Speaker]] of the Texas House of Representatives from 2009 to 2018. He was initially elected to the House in a special election held in January 2005 to succeed Elizabeth Ames Jones, who resigned from the legislature to join the [[Texas Railroad Commission]], a post she since vacated in an unsuccessful bid for the Texas State Senate. A youthful admirer of the late [[U.S. Senator]] [[John Tower]], for whom he was once a part-time chauffeur, Straus has, like Tower, supported [[pro-abortion]] interests. His critics claim that he has also undermined [[free enterprise]] economics,<ref>http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=49917</ref> but he counters with the claim that he is a champion for economic development, transportation, and public education.

==Political career==

==Political career==

On January 11, 2011, the Texas House nevertheless reelected Speaker Straus, 132-15. The dissenters, including [[Bryan Hughes]] of Mineola, [[Warren Chisum]] of Pampa, and [[Ken Paxton]] of McKinney, Texas (who in 2015 became the Texas attorney general and is seeking a second term in 2018), have been termed by [[Tea Party]] activists as the "Texas 15."<ref>http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/01/tea-party-adherents-hail-the-t.html</ref>

On January 11, 2011, the Texas House nevertheless reelected Speaker Straus, 132-15. The dissenters, including [[Bryan Hughes]] of Mineola, [[Warren Chisum]] of Pampa, and [[Ken Paxton]] of McKinney, Texas (who in 2015 became the Texas attorney general and is seeking a second term in 2018), have been termed by [[Tea Party]] activists as the "Texas 15."<ref>http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/01/tea-party-adherents-hail-the-t.html</ref>

On October 25, 2017, Straus announced that he will not seek reelection in 2018 to the state House and hence will vacate the Speaker's office.<ref>Price, Bob (October 25, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/texas/2017/10/25/texas-house-speaker-straus-will-not-seek-re-election/ Texas House Speaker Straus Will Not Seek Re-Election]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 26, 2017.</ref> He said that his record five terms in the office has been a resounding success. No opponent had declared intentions to oppose Straus in the Republican primary scheduled for March 6, 2018. Already in the running for the Speakership are John Zerwas, a Straus loyalist from Richmond in suburban Fort Bend County near [[Houston, Texas|Houston]], and state Representative Phillip Stephen "Phil" King of Weatherford in Parker County west of [[Fort Worth]], who was first elected to the legislature in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/texas-legislature/2017/09/22/weatherford-lawmaker-phil-king-announces-bid-texas-house-speaker|title=Weatherford lawmaker Phil King announces bid for Texas House Speaker|publisher=''Dallas Morning News''|author=Gromer Jeffers, Jr.|date=September 22, 2017|accessdate=September 27, 2017}}</ref> A question remains as to whether the Speaker will continue to be elected by the whole membership, which can allow a Democrat-Moderate Republican majority to prevail as with Straus, or only the majority party, which would give a conservative candidate, such as King, the advantage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2017/10/25/speaker-house-joe-straus-wont-seek-reelection/|title=Texas House Speaker Joe Straus says he will not seek re-election: Straus, a San Antonio Republican, announced Wednesday he will not run for re-election. He did not rule out running for higher office|author=Matthew Watkins|publisher=''The Texas Tribune''|date=October 25, 2017|accessdate=October 26, 2017}}</ref> Also bowing out in 2018 after eight terms in the Texas House is a Straus lieutenant, [[Byron Cook]] of Corsicana in Navarro County in north central Texas, who barely won re-nomination over a conservative challenger in 2016, Thomas McNutt, heir of the Collin Street Bakery in Corsicana. Cook played the leading role in killing the bathroom legislation in 2017 by keeping the bill from obtaining a committee vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kxan.com/2017/10/25/rep-byron-cook-wont-seek-re-election/|title=Rep. Byron Cook won't see reelection|publisher=KXAN.com|accessdate=October 26, 2017}}</ref> In 2018, however, the conservative McNutt lost the runoff campaign for representative to another Moderate Republican, Cody Harris. 57-43 percent.

On October 25, 2017, Straus announced that he will not seek reelection in 2018 to the state House and hence will vacate the Speaker's office.<ref>Price, Bob (October 25, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/texas/2017/10/25/texas-house-speaker-straus-will-not-seek-re-election/ Texas House Speaker Straus Will Not Seek Re-Election]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 26, 2017.</ref> He said that his record five terms in the office has been a resounding success. No opponent had declared intentions to oppose Straus in the Republican primary scheduled for March 6, 2018. Already in the running for the Speakership were John Zerwas, a Straus loyalist from Richmond in suburban Fort Bend County near [[Houston, Texas|Houston]], and state Representative Phillip Stephen "Phil" King of Weatherford in Parker County west of [[Fort Worth]], who was first elected to the legislature in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/texas-legislature/2017/09/22/weatherford-lawmaker-phil-king-announces-bid-texas-house-speaker|title=Weatherford lawmaker Phil King announces bid for Texas House Speaker|publisher=''Dallas Morning News''|author=Gromer Jeffers, Jr.|date=September 22, 2017|accessdate=September 27, 2017}}</ref> Dennis Bonnen of Galveston County ultimately was chosen Speaker by a consensus of the House members. The Speaker is  elected by the whole membership of the House, rather than nominated by the majority party caucus. This allows a Democrat-Moderate Republican coalition to dominate the House.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2017/10/25/speaker-house-joe-straus-wont-seek-reelection/|title=Texas House Speaker Joe Straus says he will not seek re-election: Straus, a San Antonio Republican, announced Wednesday he will not run for re-election. He did not rule out running for higher office|author=Matthew Watkins|publisher=''The Texas Tribune''|date=October 25, 2017|accessdate=October 26, 2017}}</ref> Also bowing out in 2018 after eight terms in the Texas House is a Straus lieutenant, [[Byron Cook]] of Corsicana in Navarro County in north central Texas, who barely won re-nomination over a conservative challenger in 2016, Thomas McNutt, heir of the Collin Street Bakery in Corsicana. Cook played the leading role in killing the bathroom legislation in 2017 by keeping the bill from obtaining a committee vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kxan.com/2017/10/25/rep-byron-cook-wont-seek-re-election/|title=Rep. Byron Cook won't see reelection|publisher=KXAN.com|accessdate=October 26, 2017}}</ref> In 2018, however, the conservative McNutt lost the runoff campaign for representative to another Moderate Republican, Cody Harris. 57-43 percent.

Straus did not seek statewide office in 2018. He was repeatedly at odds with [[Dan Patrick]], who as the presiding office of the Texas State Senate pushed for a bold conservative agenda focusing on moral issues. Straus has nearly $10 million in his campaign treasury. Meanwhile, Charlton Soules, a former member of the San Antonio City Council, is seeking to fill Straus' state House seat.<ref>Gilbert Garcia, "Straus flush with cash if he seeks new post," ''San Antonio Express-News'', October 27, 2017, p. A2.</ref>

Straus did not seek statewide office in 2018. He was repeatedly at odds with Lieutenant Governor [[Dan Patrick]], who as the presiding office of the Texas State Senate pushed for a bold [[conservative]] agenda focusing on moral issues. Straus has nearly $10 million in his campaign treasury.<ref>Gilbert Garcia, "Straus flush with cash if he seeks new post," ''San Antonio Express-News'', October 27, 2017, p. A2.</ref>

On January 27, 2018, the sixty-two elected members of the Texas State Republican Executive Committee<ref>The sixty-two members do not include state party chairman [[James Dickey]] of Spicewood, west of [[Austin]], and the vice chairman. Therefore the committee has a total of sixty-four members.</ref> voted by just over the required two thirds vote, 44-19, to [[censure]] Straus for the "blocking of much of the [[conservative]] agenda advanced in 2017 by [[Governor]] [[Greg Abbott]]. [[Mark Dorazio]], the interim Bexar County GOP chairman and a member of the state executive committee, said that Straus had subverted the party's platform and kept the state from becoming the conservative "shining city on the hill", as [[Ronald W. Reagan]] often spoke.<ref>Jonathan Tilove, "State GOP executive panel censures Straus: House speaker didn't go along with agenda," ''San Antonio Express-News'', January 28, 2010, p. A6.</ref>  

On January 27, 2018, the sixty-two elected members of the Texas State Republican Executive Committee<ref>The sixty-two members do not include state party chairman [[James Dickey]] of Spicewood, west of [[Austin]], and the vice chairman. Therefore the committee has a total of sixty-four members.</ref> voted by just over the required two thirds vote, 44-19, to [[censure]] Straus for the "blocking of much of the conservative agenda advanced in 2017 by [[Governor]] [[Greg Abbott]]. [[Mark Dorazio]], the former interim Bexar County GOP chairman and a member of the state executive committee, said that Straus had subverted the party's platform and kept the state from becoming the conservative "shining city on the hill", as [[Ronald W. Reagan]] often spoke.<ref>Jonathan Tilove, "State GOP executive panel censures Straus: House speaker didn't go along with agenda," ''San Antonio Express-News'', January 28, 2018, p. A6.</ref>  

Despite the snub among conservatives in his own San Antonio, community leaders across West Texas hailed Straus' leadership of the state House. Moderate Republican Mayor Dan Pope of [[Lubbock]] said that Straus represented rural Texas "admirably. His common-sense leadership in support of business and education - often in the face of criticism - will be his legacy.”<ref name=laj/> Straus championed the request of [[Texas Tech University]] to establish a school of veterinary medicine in [[Amarillo]] despite opposition coming from within the GOP. Texas Tech System Chancellor Robert Lloyd Duncan, a Moderate Republican former state senator, described Straus as "an advocate for higher education and its importance in making our state better. He is also a common-sense legislator who recognizes state needs and works to address them. His support was instrumental in the Texas Tech University System receiving funding to pursue a dental school and school of veterinary medicine. We will miss his pragmatic leadership.”<ref name=laj>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/2017-10-25/speaker-straus-commended-keeping-west-texas-policy-decisions|title=Speaker Straus commended for keeping West Texas in policy decisions|author=Matt Dotray|publisher=''The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|date=October 25, 2017|accessdate=February 16, 2018}}</ref> State Representative John T. Smithee of Amarillo called Straus "a critical ally" for the needs of West Texas.<ref name=laj/>

Despite the snub among conservatives in his own San Antonio, community leaders across West Texas hailed Straus' leadership of the state House. Moderate Republican Mayor Dan Pope of [[Lubbock]] said that Straus represented rural Texas "admirably. His common-sense leadership in support of business and education - often in the face of criticism - will be his legacy.”<ref name=laj/> Straus championed the request of [[Texas Tech University]] to establish a school of veterinary medicine in [[Amarillo]] despite opposition coming from within the GOP. Texas Tech System Chancellor Robert Lloyd Duncan, a Moderate Republican former state senator, described Straus as "an advocate for higher education and its importance in making our state better. He is also a common-sense legislator who recognizes state needs and works to address them. His support was instrumental in the Texas Tech University System receiving funding to pursue a dental school and school of veterinary medicine. We will miss his pragmatic leadership.”<ref name=laj>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/2017-10-25/speaker-straus-commended-keeping-west-texas-policy-decisions|title=Speaker Straus commended for keeping West Texas in policy decisions|author=Matt Dotray|publisher=''The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|date=October 25, 2017|accessdate=February 16, 2018}}</ref> State Representative John T. Smithee of Amarillo called Straus "a critical ally" for the needs of West Texas.<ref name=laj/>

Candidates who ran in the March 6 primary to succeed Straus were Matthew Stewart "Matt" Beebe (born November 3, 1973), a pro-life business owner and two-time former Straus opponent; Marc Whyte, a business attorney; Carlton Soules, a former member of the San Antonio City Council and an unsuccessful candidate for Bexar County judge in 2012; Charlotte Williamson, who works for her family's petroleum and natural gas company, and attorney Adrian Spears. However, ''The San Antonio Express-News'' endorsed none of these candidates but instead urged Republicans to nominate a more moderate Republican in the Straus mold, [[Steve Allison|Stephen Philip "Steve" Allison]], a San Antonio lawyer, a 12-year member of the Alamo Heights Independent School District trustees, and a former VIA transit board member.<ref>"Pick Allison to replace Straus in 121", ''The San Antonio Express-News'', February 16, 2018, p. 14A.</ref>

Candidates who ran in the March 6 primary to succeed Straus were Matthew Stewart "Matt" Beebe (born November 3, 1973), a pro-life business owner and two-time former Straus opponent; Marc Whyte, a business attorney; Carlton Soules, a former member of the San Antonio City Council and an unsuccessful candidate for Bexar County judge in 2012; Charlotte Williamson, who works for her family's petroleum and natural gas company, and attorney Adrian Spears. However, ''The San Antonio Express-News'' endorsed none of these candidates but instead urged Republicans to nominate a more moderate Republican in the Straus mold, [[Steve Allison|Stephen Philip "Steve" Allison]], a San Antonio lawyer, a 12-year member of the Alamo Heights Independent School District trustees, and a former VIA transit board member.<ref>"Pick Allison to replace Straus in 121", ''The San Antonio Express-News'', February 16, 2018, p. 14A.</ref>

In the primary, Matt Beebe led the field with 4,351 votes (29.5 percent) and will face the runner-up, Steve Allison, who polled 3,884 (26.3 percent), in the May 22 runoff election. Soules barely finished third with 13.2 percent of the vote. The four eliminated candidates divided the remaining 44.2 percent of the ballots cast.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://enrpages.sos.state.tx.us/public/mar06_325_state.htm?x=0&y=1394&id=142|title=Election Returns|date=March 6, 2018|publisher=Texas Secretary of State|accessdate=March 7, 2018}}</ref> The next month Straus endorsed Allison as his preferred successor. Beebe noted that Allison opposes the failed "bathroom bill" and has hostile "views on the [[Second Amendment]], [and an] unwillingness to enable parents to have meaningful options for their children's education, [and refuses] to pledge support for the Republican caucus choice for House Speaker." Beebe added that he finds "voters increasingly realizing Steve Allison is out of touch with their values."<ref>Jasper Scherer, "Straus endorses Allison for District 121", ''The San Antonio Express-News'', April 20, 2018, p. A4.</ref>

In the primary, Matt Beebe led the field with 4,351 votes (29.5 percent) and faced the runner-up, Steve Allison, who polled 3,884 (26.3 percent), in the May 22 runoff election. Soules barely finished third with 13.2 percent of the vote. The four eliminated candidates divided the remaining 44.2 percent of the ballots cast.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://enrpages.sos.state.tx.us/public/mar06_325_state.htm?x=0&y=1394&id=142|title=Election Returns|date=March 6, 2018|publisher=Texas Secretary of State|accessdate=March 7, 2018}}</ref> The next month Straus endorsed Allison as his preferred successor. Beebe noted that Allison opposes the failed "bathroom bill" and has hostile "views on the [[Second Amendment]], [and an] unwillingness to enable parents to have meaningful options for their children's education, [and refuses] to pledge support for the Republican caucus choice for House Speaker." Beebe added that he finds "voters increasingly realizing Steve Allison is out of touch with their values."<ref>Jasper Scherer, "Straus endorses Allison for District 121", ''The San Antonio Express-News'', April 20, 2018, p. A4.</ref>

Beebe favored having the Republican caucus choose the party's nominee for Speaker. Allison in contrast favors opening the floor for all nominations, with 76 of the 150 members required for a simple majority to become the Speaker. Beebe noted that statewide and in the district voters in the Republican primary approved a non-binding referendum that the Republican caucus should submit the party's nominee for Speaker.<ref>Jasper Scherer, "Allison, Beebe disagree on how to pick speaker", ''The San Antonio Express-News'', April 28, 2018, pp. 1, A11.</ref> Straus's candidate, Allison won the runoff over Beebe, 6,054 (57.5 percent) to 4,482 (42.5 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://enrpages.sos.state.tx.us/public/may22_326_race3.htm|title=Republican Primary Runoff Election Returns for Congressional District 21|publisher=Texas Secretary of State|date=May 22, 2018|accessdate=May 23, 2018}}</ref>  

Beebe favored having the Republican caucus choose the party's nominee for Speaker. Allison in contrast favors opening the floor for all nominations, with 76 of the 150 members required for a simple majority to become the Speaker. Beebe noted that statewide and in the district voters in the Republican primary approved a non-binding referendum that the Republican caucus should submit the party's nominee for Speaker.<ref>Jasper Scherer, "Allison, Beebe disagree on how to pick speaker", ''The San Antonio Express-News'', April 28, 2018, pp. 1, A11.</ref> Straus's candidate, Allison won the runoff over Beebe, 6,054 (57.5 percent) to 4,482 (42.5 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://enrpages.sos.state.tx.us/public/may22_326_race3.htm|title=Republican Primary Runoff Election Returns for Congressional District 21|publisher=Texas Secretary of State|date=May 22, 2018|accessdate=May 23, 2018}}</ref>