Rep. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, withdrew from the House Speaker race during a floor speech today. Rep. Warren Chisum, R- Pampa, made the following statement in a letter earlier this morning, “I am withdrawing my name for Speaker of the House, and will be voting this afternoon for Speaker Straus.”
As a result, the only candidate for House Speaker that was nominated was House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio. Straus was re-elected as House Speaker this afternoon with 132 ayes, 15 nays and 2 present not voting.