Tom Craddick - Speaker of The House Controversy

Speaker of The House Controversy

Craddick became increasingly unpopular with not only Democrats but those of his own party, and many called for a new Speaker to be elected.

Chaos erupted in the Texas House of Representatives on Friday, May 25, 2007, when Representative Fred Hill, a Republican from Richardson, attempted to make raise a question of privilege to remove Craddick from office, but Craddick refused to allow him to raise the question. The attempts to oust Craddick continued through the weekend as other Republicans made additional motions, which were also disallowed for a time, although ultimately successful.

The last previous Texas House speaker to be removed was also a Republican, Ira Hobart Evans, who was rejected in 1871 for cooperating with Democrats on an elections bill.

Craddick's close allies, such as Representative Phil King of Weatherford, said that the actions against the Speaker were an effort by Democrats to gain control of the legislature before the legislative and congressional redistricting process of 2011. However, Representative Byron Cook, a Republican from Corsicana, said that the fight was about Craddick having consolidated power with lobbyists and having used campaign contributions to maintain control in the House: "This is about the convergence of money and power and influence," Cook said.

Specifically, Craddick recessed the Legislature for two and a half hours after Representatives attempted to gain recognition to put the question of Craddick's removal to a vote. When Representative Hill asked to vote to remove Mr. Craddick, the Speaker replied: "The Speaker's power of recognition on any matter cannot be appealed."

His parliamentarian, Denise Davis disagreed, stating that question of privilege relating to the removal of a Speaker from office is so highly privileged one that even the leader may not refuse. When Craddick shunned her advice, Davis and her assistant, Chris Griesel, resigned. Craddick immediately hired former Representative Terry Keel of Austin to the post as well as former Representative (and present-day lawyer) Ron Wilson as Keel's assistant.

After calling the recess, Democratic Representative Garnet Coleman of Houston called the speaker "Chicken Craddick."

The session resumed until 1 a.m. and despite further protests from members of the legislature, Craddick remained in his position as Speaker, and the session was recessed.