Representative Debbie Riddle’s Statement on Speaker Vote

// January 12th, 2011 // Uncategorized

AUSTIN – Representative Debbie Riddle has released the following statement on today’s election of Speaker Straus:

“Today, after all other members had removed their names from consideration, I cast my vote for Joe Straus as Speaker of the House. It is not a secret that days after the overwhelming Republican victories in the November election, I asked Speaker Straus to remove my name from his list of members pledged to support him. I said at that time, and have restated often since then, that Joe Straus is a good man and an honorable man, and that I have tremendous respect for him.

At the same time, other candidates emerged in the race that more closely reflected my conservative values and the values of my constituents, and it was always my intention to vote for them if I was given the opportunity. But that opportunity never presented itself, as they both dropped from the race just moments before the vote.

Other colleagues of mine chose to vote against Speaker Straus’ nomination, as was their right, and even their duty if it was the will of their constituents. As for me, I never considered this election a fight against Joe Straus, but instead a race in support of conservative values and the candidates that embodied those values. I saw no reason to vote against Joe Straus when there was no one else left in the race who would better serve my constituent’s interest.

Regardless, the speaker’s election is now over. With 101 Republicans currently seated, we must now come together as a party and work to create solutions to the challenges that face our state this session. Immigration reform, voter ID, the budget, and redistricting will require team work and unity. Our constituents are demanding results, and it is my intention to deliver them.

I applaud Warren Chisum and Ken Paxton for answering the conservative call and showing the courage to step into a position of leadership. I look forward to working with them, Speaker Straus, and all the rest of my colleagues in both parties as we work together to serve the great state of Texas.”

2 Responses to “Representative Debbie Riddle’s Statement on Speaker Vote”

  1. Dorothy Boyce-Hopper says:
    January 12, 2011 at 11:14 am

    Rep. Riddle,

    I am proud to call you MY Representative in Texas.

  2. Herb Clark says:
    January 12, 2011 at 6:15 pm

    I understand your position and do not fault you. With no one else qualified running for he position I, too, would not have voted “against” someone.

    We need to give him an opportunity to hang himself. He says he is “conservative” and I believe he has backed himself into a corner and we will see if he pushes for conservative programs, like yours, or goes back to being a RINO.

    I do hope he puts more than 50% of the Chairmanships in conservative Republicans hands. Of course I expect the majority of the Chairmanships will end up in RINO’s hands. We will see.