Free-for-all breaks out as Craddick drops out of speaker's race; Truitt joins the contest

The Texas House speaker’s race already has been a free-for-all for months, but it opened wider than ever tonight as word spread quickly about Craddick’s decision. Rep. Vicki Truitt, R-Southlake, has joined the race, Tarrant County District Clerk Tom Wilder tells Star-Telegram writer Max B. Baker.

"If Vicki Truitt were elected, she wold the first female Speaker of the House in the history of Texas," Wilder said. "Many of us locally stand behind Vicki in this effort."

Truitt is currently serving her fifth term and is the current chairman of the Committee on Pensions and Investments and she is a member of the House Committee on Public Health.

"A lot of Republican voters will like Vick's strong conservative record and she has quite a bit more experience than Rep. Straus on important committees," Wilder said.

Craddick, the first Republican speaker in modern Texas political history, had been hard at work on seeking a fourth term as speaker and was about to begin a meeting with the House Republican Caucus as the news spread that he would bow out.

"He told me he had withdrawn and released everyone," Rep. Will Hartnett, R-Dallas, a key supporter, tells Star-Telegram Austin bureau chief Dave Montgomery, referring to Craddick’s decision to free his backers to swith their support to another candidate.

Neither Craddick nor his staff are yet confirming the decision has been made. "We’re not talking," said spokeswoman Alexis DeLee. But Craddick is expected to talk to reporters soon at a swanky restaurant in Austin where he's meeting with House Republicans.

-- John Gravois

Comments

[PepperA]

OH VICKI...poor, poor Vicki. The pressure finally got to her.

The next thing we'll hear is that she also thinks she's a size 2.

I also expect her to announce for the U.S. Senate and that the Governor will appoint her.

What did Southlake ever do to deserve this egomaniacal, aging prom queen?

The only thing worse than Vicki Truit with the Speaker's gavel in her hand would be Vicki Truitt in a bikini thong.

Iccckkk....