Oops, not so fast, Ken! Chisum for Straus

Contrary to a news release last night by Rep. Ken Paxton, his fellow Straus challenger Warren Chisum is not voting for Paxton today -- but for Straus, according to a statement just issued by Chisum's office.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/hCG4E0

Paxton not backing out of speaker's race

Collin County legislator Ken Paxton says he won't bow out of Tuesday's formal vote on a new speaker, despite a resounding show of support for incumbent Speaker Joe Straus in an unusual meeting this afternoon of the House Republican Caucus.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/dUfiTV

Paxton wins more outside-the-House support; women behind anti-Straus ad step forward

Former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton today endorsed Ken Paxton for Texas House speaker. Bolton, who doesn't have a say in the matter, said Paxton's bid to oust incumbent Joe Straus has national implications because of redistricting and border security.
Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/fEvXNE

Van Taylor backs Paxton for speaker

Collin County freshman Rep. Van Taylor, R-Plano, has endorsed fellow Collin County lawmaker Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, for House speaker, bringing Paxton's public pledge list to 12. Seventy six votes are needed to be the top dog in the 150-member House.

Robert T. Garrett has the latest: http://dallasne.ws/fznpcl

Texas legislator denies targeting foes of House Speaker Joe Straus

AUSTIN – The unnamed House member whom Rep. Bryan Hughes accused of planning to take revenge on opponents of Speaker Joe Straus turned out to be the vice chairman of the House investigating committee that addressed the complaint Tuesday.
http://dallasne.ws/fAyqfK

Zedler, two West Texas freshmen back Paxton

Returning Fort Worth GOP lawmaker Bill Zedler (right, photo courtesy of Zedler campaign) has endorsed Collin County Rep. Ken Paxton for House speaker. That's not surprising, given that Zedler was a loyal supporter to the end of former SpeakerTom Craddick, R-Midland, and that he yanked his name from incumbent Speaker Joe Straus' pledge list the day after this month's election.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/fSxKGS

Burkett for Paxton for speaker

Rep.-elect Cindy Burkett, R-Mesquite, just endorsed the speakership candidacy of Collin County lawmaker Ken Paxton, R-McKinney.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/aJZcTh

Speaker candidates condemn e-mails injecting religion into race

Reps. Warren Chisum and Ken Paxton, conservative Republicans who've launched long-shot bids to unseat House Speaker Joe Straus, on Wednesday condemned campaign e-mails that have introduced candidates' religions. E-mails, some of unknown origin, have surfaced in recent days that mention Straus' rabbi and underscore the Christian faith of his leading critics in the House Republican Caucus. One e-mail promises that "Straus is going down in Jesus' name."

Garrett reports: http://dallasne.ws/dycl9V