Originally published Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 2:25 PM
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Texas lawmakers elect first Jewish House speaker
The new speaker of the Texas House of Representatives says everyone's voice "can and should be heard" in the chamber marked by recent infighting and iron-fisted leadership.
Associated Press Writer
The new speaker of the Texas House of Representatives says everyone's voice "can and should be heard" in the chamber marked by recent infighting and iron-fisted leadership.
San Antonio Republican Joe Straus was elected Tuesday as the legislative session started. Straus, the first Jewish speaker since Texas became a state, replaces three-term Speaker Tom Craddick.
Straus won bipartisan support with promises to heal wounds from claims that Craddick had strong-armed lawmakers and two attempts to overthrow him failed. In his acceptance speech, Straus called the House a "place where we respect each other's points of view."
Democrats increased their seats in the last election, but Republicans kept control by a narrow 76-74 majority.
Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company
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