Rep. John Smithee is considering running for Texas Speaker of the House of Representatives
AMARILLO, TEXAS -- There is a chance that the next Speaker of the House of Representatives may reside here in the Texas Panhandle.
In two weeks the 81st Texas Legislature will be in session, and one of the first matters of business is the election of Speaker of the House.
Long-time representative Tom Craddick has served for the past six years as speaker.
Local representative John Smithee has been urged by more than 20 peers to run for the position. Smithee says he'll decide within the next 24 to 48 hours whether he'll run for Speaker of the House.
"It's a major undertaking, and frankly, that's one of the things anybody has to consider is whether they're willing to take on a job like that. That's part of the wrestling that I am having to go through with my family and to talk about, and pray about," said Smithee. "I don't know for sure what I am going to do, but I will have to make a decision within the next 24 hours."
Recent infighting and unproductive work flow within the house has convinced representatives to look at other options. Who takes over the position is decided by a popular vote amongst the House of Representatives. More than 12 Democrats and Republicans have added their names to the list of candidates for the position.
The advantages of having the Speaker of the House reside in the Panhandle may be outweighed by the disadvantages of having a speaker far removed from the Panhandle and issues affecting residents.
The speaker would be a great asset for the representation of the Texas Panhandle.
