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'''Joe Straus''' is a [[centrist]] [[Republican]] state representative from [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]], who has been Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives since January 13, 2009. He was initially elected to the House in a [[special election]] held early in 2005 to succeed Elizabeth Ames Jones, who resigned to join the [[Texas Railroad Commission]]. Straus, a youthful admirer of the late [[U.S. Senator]] [[John G. Tower]], has like Tower supported [[pro-choice]] interests. His critics claim he has also undermined [[free enterprise]] economics.<ref>http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=49917</ref>

'''Joe Straus''' is a [[centrist]] [[Republican]] state representative from [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]], who has been Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives since January 13, 2009. He was initially elected to the House in a [[special election]] held early in 2005 to succeed [[Elizabeth Ames Jones]], who resigned to join the [[Texas Railroad Commission]]. Straus, as a youthful admirer of the late [[U.S. Senator]] [[John G. Tower]], has like Tower supported [[pro-choice]] interests. His critics claim he has also undermined [[free enterprise]] economics.<ref>http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=49917</ref>

To win the Speakership, Straus, armed with [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] backing, defeated fellow Republican [[Tom Craddick]] of Midland, Texas, the senior member of the state House and its first ever Republican Speaker, having served from 2003 to 2009.

To win the Speakership, Straus, armed with [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] backing, defeated fellow Republican [[Tom Craddick]] of Midland, Texas, the senior member of the state House and its first ever Republican Speaker, having served from 2003 to 2009.