Quorum Report: Bryan Hughes will run for speaker
Couldn’t Hughes wait until the election was over before the speaker’s race began?
The July 31 runoffs now loom large, as they will be battles between the Straus- and anti-Straus factions of the Republican party in the House. The party is undergoing a purification, driven by Perry’s endorsements and alliances, with the aim of taking the party away from the members and handing it over to the interest groups–Texans for Lawsuit Reform; Empower Texans/Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, TPPF, the right to life organizations, the home schoolers, the tea parties. (I just wrote this, minutes ago, in a previous post from a few minutes ago, about a narrative that might emerge from this election; see “Endangered Species List”).
Anonymous says:
Last minute effort to get the Beebe vote out?
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Weneedarealstatesman says:
This is laughable…
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Honey Badger says:
Hughes is a nice guy, but with the exception of his maiden session, has been on the losing side of every Speaker’s race since (just like his Austin roommate Paxton). You’d think Hughes learned something from last session, but apparently he hasn’t.
If Straus wins his primary, he will be speaker. If Straus loses his primary, TLR will make sure that trial lawyer Hughes gets nowhere near the Speaker’s gavel.
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Anonymous says:
Two of the pro-life groups have already endorsed Straus. This could be even more interesting and nauseating than the last epic speaker battle. Someone looking for a puppet?
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Bill Weed says:
My goodness. Our poor, poor state. Once great, now in further danger from the loonie bin.
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Plato says:
You got loonie right with Hughes.
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Plato says:
And Huhges doesn’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell of winning anything.
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Distinguished Gentleman says:
All that this accomplishes is to make Hughes look every bit as stupid as he really, truly and genuinely is.
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Tiny jogging shorts says:
Hughes will bow to the Senate.
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Anonymous says:
Who is Bryan Hughes? What a complete joke. Is Flanders back to his old tricks? I guess he tried to shakedown the Speaker again because he needs more “business” and was denied.
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Anon says:
One correction Honey Badger, Hughes is not a nice guy, not at all, not for a minute.
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sungsam Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 3:30 pm
BS–say what you will about this decision, I too think it is stupid, but Bryan is a very nice guy. Of course, I know lots of folks here (Anita) could never admit that about their political enemies.
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Anonymous Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 4:32 pm
Yeah, just ask Larry Phillips how nice that sweet, lil good ol boy really is.
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Hilarious Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 9:44 pm
Because Larry Phillips is a shining example of chivalry and kindness?
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The Most Interesting Man in the World says:
When was the last time a single man (other than myself) was Speaker of the Texas House, my friends?
I was the speaker of the Texas House and three other states concurrently back in the 80s, and was very much single, but I’m counting myself.
Good luck Mr. Hughes, you will need it.
Stay thirsty my friends!
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Anonymous says:
Wait – I thought MQS and the gang where against trial lawyers? I will be waiting for Texans for Fiscal Responsibility/Empower Texans to come out against Hughes.
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Anonymous says:
Tim Dunn asked him to file to distract Straus on Election Day.
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anon says:
Seriously, Bryan Hughes?
He makes Gib Lewis sound like a brilliant orator.
The other 49 already see us as some sort of strange backwater. Why should we confirm it by having Bryan Hughes be front and center.
Believe me, this news is making the marketing folks in Arkansas and Kentucky very happy. Very happy indeed.
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Bill Weed says:
Only conservatives would write away their freedoms and liberties to a bunch of PACs, lobbying groups and snake oil salesmen. We would be around a long time if we grew some backbone.
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Anon Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
Have you looked at the campaign finance reports of liberals? They take money from groups on the other side like gambling, trial lawyers, unions, liquor, beer and tobacco lobbying groups.
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Anonymous Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 6:16 pm
Oh please…one day Perry and his walls will come crumbling down. Paul, I’m sure you will give us some interesting reading.
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Jesus Straus says:
My cousin Joe is not distracted or concerned with Rep. Hughes’s announcement for Speaker. All 150 members are free to run. Be careful what you ask for!
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BurkaKnows says:
Borris miles has a better shot at being speaker.
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Anonymous says:
I disagree with Hughes on every issue – but he IS a nice and genuinely decent guy.
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paulburka Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 6:39 pm
I think Bryan is a nice and decent guy too.
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Anonymous Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 8:51 pm
He’s the nicest and weakest guy in the Lege. His idea of standing up for what he believes in is voting a white light.
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The People's Elbow says:
Hughes is a nice guy… with terrible political instincts and timing. Proving nice guys do finish last.
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Distinguished Gentleman Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 5:41 pm
I have had some dealings with Mr. Hughes myself and I have a friend who once worked for him. Bryan Hughes is NOT “nice” by any stretch of the imagination. Like any politician, he puts on a false image. But when you get closer and see his true colors, you leave with a very different picture of him. This is not unusual in a politician.
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Anon Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 9:20 pm
A friend that used to work for him? I love the generic examples, especially about a guy who has had unusually low turnover in his staff.
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Harry says:
The “right to life” groups that do not support Straus are linked more to the “end of life” issue, and use abortion to bait donors and members. The right to life groups that do not support Straus will never, ever be happy till they get the “end of life” laws changed to make it more agreeable for lawsuits against hospitals and doctors… that’s the inside story… that’s why some “right to life” groups will never, ever be satisfied with ten to twenty sonogram bills! It’s not about abortions, that’s just the “front” to get to the lawsuit issue on end-of-life!
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Anonymous says:
Hughes says whatever seems expedient at the time. He will also lie to your face. He didn’t have enough spine to even VOTE in the last Speaker’s race, now he wants to be speaker?! Give me a break. He’s a non-factor.
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Monkeyman says:
So, regarding the “end of life” issue, that makes sense… Bryan Hughes always leads on the issue, and the same “pro-life” groups that never, ever back Straus, are also aligned with Bryan Hughes on this “end of life” issue, wanting to hold docs and hospitals more accountable ($$) in end-of-life cases.
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Bill says:
I don’t know why you all love Straus so much. Last session, his committee assignments were so late that many good bills died when the clock ran out. Anyone could do better.
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Texian Politico says:
Looks increasingly like it will be a Dewhurst vs. Cruz run-off. This will be fun!
Also, glad to see Sid Miller and Vicki Truitt going down tonight.
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Anonymous Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 11:21 pm
Miller, I get. I was concerned when we started viewing him as a moderate. Truitt–I don’t get. You obviously don’t have kids because otherwise, you would give a s*&^ about the future of this state. Water, transportation, care to tell us what your plan is, Texian Politico?
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Texian Politico Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 7:27 am
I’ve got kids and I care about their future more than you do Anon.
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Anonymous Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 7:44 am
You party is toast. Explain that to them.
Texian Politico Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 9:22 am
So bitter Anon. Must have been a rough night for you.
I'm Pavlov. Ring a Bell? says:
Looks like quite a few of Straus’ lieutenants are on the verge of being ousted tonight.
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Julie says:
Rep. Hughes is no brain trust. He introduced or co-sponsored 80 bills in the last regular session. Two of the bills he sponsored became law. Both of those bills involved minor issues. The biggest and most meaningless bill he co-sponsored allows the manufacture of incandescent light bulbs in Texas. No company is making those bulbs in Texas.
Hughes’ mental light bulb is very dim.
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Texian Politico says:
Looks like Eissler and Tubby Hamilton are going down tonight, too. This is not shaping up to be a good night for the Straus lieutenants.
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I'm Pavlov. Ring a Bell? says:
Add to that list: Miller, Truitt, and maybe Hopson
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Kenneth D. Franks Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 7:45 am
Add Christian to the list of former legislators.
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anita says:
John Bradley losses in Williamson County.
Sanity reigns. My faith in humanity is restored.
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Anonymous says:
This party cannot be saved.
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The Play says:
Hughes thinks he’s being savvy. He saw Paxton become a martyr and get an express ticket to the state senate. He thinks this makes him a play…
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Anonymous says:
Bryan Who?
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Anon says:
Paul,
Perhaps this will allow you to reassess your opinion of Brian Hughes. He is an opportunist that does whatever benefits himself. If you actually bothered to get to know all of the members, not just your select 20-or-so members (to cover your ass with TX Monthly), then I think you would have a better understanding of the personalities, and the philosophies that are actually in the legislature. Quit slacking, or hand it over to someone else. I quit taking the Monthly 8 years ago because I read your piece, and quickly figured out that you don’t have the first clue as to what’s happening. You merely read the news and then insert your own opinion. Lazy, antiquated, and ineffectual.
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Anonymous Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 6:38 am
he does have a clue
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Lance says:
Tonight was a no win for the East Texas Tea Party. The most labeled “conversative” representatives lost in East Texas. Leo Berman and Wayne Christian were beat by candidates, who won with little to no money. James White had to spent almost a million dollars and call 9-1-1 to get Perry in the race. White’s political career was wrecked with the negative campaigning that came out too late after most people early voted.
Otto, Ritter, Gooden, Cook, and Pitts received strong support from local constituency interest who crossed over into the race. Hopson polled well in a three way race and will face a run off, which he will probably win.
Eissler is a lesson to be learned from. Failing to listen to your constituency is the problem he faced. He was his own worst enemy. His twin in Conroe, Brandon Creighton will face the same fate if he is opposed in a simular manner next election.
Bryan Hughes will lose to Straus in the speaker’s race. Straus is still many votes ahead. The only way to cleanse the Texas Republican Party is to find Perry another job and get rid of the extremist. The fall of the Texas Democratic Party was claused by the extreme Liberals. The Republican Party will face a simular fate if they don’t change. Allowing TLR, Empower Texas, Texans/Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, ALEC, and the Koch Brother’s funded Tea Party to run the party will be the downfall for the Texas Republicans.
Tonight some East Texas Republicans had a little help from someone besides Straus. The Tea Party landslide never came.
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Just Another Joe Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 2:21 am
Lance, you are dumber than dirt. James White won the election day vote (as well as early vote), throwing a size able wrench into your theory. Tuffy’s attacks didn’t come out too late…they didn’t matter at all in the first place.
And no one ever thought that Otto, Ritter, Cook or Gooden were ever in trouble of losing. Using those races as evidence of a movement one way or another is simply flawed. Get real.
And btw…Berman’s opponent won by getting to te right of him, not by campaigning to the center. You obviously don’t know what you are talking about.
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Lance Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 8:29 am
To Just another Joe:
Don’t be hating over the truth…
Berman and Christian lost, because they were out of touch with their constituency. They were both rightwing nuts and East Texans were sick of them. There is no way Paddie was any more to the right than Christian. Leo’s opponent never established himselve as being the more conservative candidate. I don’t see how you could go any further to the right than Berman was. Berman was so far right, he was right out into space!!!
Its sad to think that the term conservative is used too loosely. The score card for Conservative must mean you voted 100% on ALEC legislation. If you vote conservative on all issues, that means you are too stupid or unethical to make to the right choice. A true conservative must ask themselves, if
Jesus was a politician, then how would he vote on immigration, health care, guns, death penalty, and campaign finance reform???
White lost the biggest county in the district, even out spending Hamilton 10 to 1. He lost further, because he had to buy the district with the help of TLR as well as every other groups trying to peddle influence. Don’t even try to make White’s campaign sound like a grass roots movement, it was far from it. White’s ability to buy the RV’er in Polk county is what won that election. The reality is, the Tea Party candidates lost last night…. Straus will still be the next speaker and the candidates who attacked him will be blackballed in the house.
If the incoming freshman are smart and don’t want to be blackballed, they will break with their financial supporters and look for new ones.
Last night exemplified winning the battle, but losing the war. Bryan Hughes will not become the speaker, so get over it. Those who follow Hughes are in big trouble and should abandon ship. The only thing that happen last night is Bryan Hughes opened up two more positions for Straus to fill with loyalist. Remember two of Hughes loyalist are out of the race too and the Dem(s) will be taking back more seats in the general election. The speakers race was decided last night and Hughes lost. I don’t think the Dems would sell their souls and align themselves with Hughes. Hughes and White might as well quit or go hang out at the bar with Craddick… Their political career ended last night… They will represent their district by name only, as RINOS is now taking a new meaning… Representative In Name Only!!!! Lol
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Just Another Joe Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 8:46 am
I never said I want Hughes to be Speaker. You’re a drama queen.
I'm Pavlov. Ring a Bell? Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 7:23 am
Texas House and Senate poised to shift hard Right, and Lance predicts the end of the Republican party at the hands of the Tea Party…Please tell me someone’s not paying you boo-koo bucks for your political insight
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Lance Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 9:24 am
Unlike you, I’m looking to see what happens in the future. Independent voters will decide the fate of the future Republican Party, just as the fate was sealed on the Democratic Party. The Tea Party has established itself as an extreme rightwing group and will not keep its base, so long as the views of independent voters are attacked by the Tea Party.
Five to ten years from now, when Obama is out of the picture and with the ever changing Demographics, the Republican Party will meet its fate as independent voters bailout. The Koch (Coke) Party… I mean Tea Party in Texas will lose ground… You can win the battle, but the war is being lost by the Koch Party… I mean Tea Party…
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Robert Morrow Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 7:52 am
“White’s political career was wrecked with the negative campaigning that came out too late after most people early voted.”
And the San Antonio Spurs dynasty is wrecked because they BEAT the Oklahoma City Thunder 101-98 in game one of the Western conference finals.
Ha ha ha.
The voters “vetted” Mike Hamilton last night and found him lacking: http://www.empowertexans.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/DinoTuffy.jpg
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Lance Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 9:37 am
White now gives a new meaning to the term RINO. Representative In Name Only…. Alligning himself with Hughes will cost him… He will be blackballed this next session… a State Representative with no power.
Attacking Straus’s Lieutenants was the stupidest plan I have ever seen. This means people will now jump more onto Straus side to fill those voids. Straus may have come out stronger, despite the defeat of some of his Lieutenants.
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Texian Politico says:
Last night was a huge win for the Tea Party forces. There is no other way to spin that. Cruz makes the runoff only about 11 points behind Dewhurst and is well poised for July 31st. Campbell is in a runoff with Wentworth and will take him out, too. That’s bad as an incumbebt when you only get about a third of the vote. Lots of Straus lieutenants were taken out. James White held off Tubby Hamilton. Kelly Hancock won his senate primary. Many good results out of open seat races. Just a very good night for conservatives and another slap at the establishmentarian wing of the party. Now we can listen to more whaling and gnashing of teeth from the RINOs and Democrats about how the Texas Republican party is now full of troglodytes and is thus forever doomed.
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Robert Morrow Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 8:06 am
Cruz is in good shape. Still an underdog, but in good shape.
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Texian Politico Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 9:25 am
I think Cruz wins the runoff by around 53-47. Dewhurst went as negative as he could to try to smear Cruz as a Chinese and amnesty loving liberal pinko and it didn’t work. This will be a grassroots race now. Dewhurst’s attacks on Leppert as a liberal will not have won him any favors either. I think the average Leppert voter doesn’t vote again. Those that do will probably go towards Dewhurst, but not by as big a margin as some think. The Cruz voters will be back for him.
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Lance Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 9:41 am
Cruz is going to lose.
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longleaf says:
Isn’t this more likely to be the end of the public schools?
(As predicted 18 months ago by former Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby and others such as myself ever since we saw the rise of the Teatards.)
All you need to do is get a constitutional amendment on the ballot with language doing away with the mandates in the Texas Constitution of 1876 (back when the state was full of “lib’ruls”).
Given the GOP “school choice” referendum outcome, the public schools would be done away with in a heartbeat if only the Constitution didn’t stand in the way.
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Robert Morrow Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 7:45 am
And that might be a great idea to finally be rid of public education …
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Kenneth D. Franks Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 8:12 am
Really Robert, is that what Texas needs? More uneducated low wage workers instead of an educated workforce is a terrible idea.
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I'm Pavlov. Ring a Bell? Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 8:31 am
Texas’ current public education system isn’t exactly doing a stellar job of producing an educated workforce. Just look at the number of incoming freshmen needing remedial courses before beginning actual coursework. We’re just not getting quality results for the kind of money we spend per pupil and a trying something other than the status quo might actually help us make progress.
Blue Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 8:36 am
Texas generally does well compared to the rest of the country–see the NAEP scores. Not to say there isn’t room for improvement, but the demographics of the kids coming into the system mean the system has a lot of challenges.
I’m just trying to figure out who is going to provide anything like leadership in pub ed this session with Eissler and Hochberg gone.
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Kenneth D. Franks says:
Public Education: “It shall be the duty of the Legislature of the state to provide to establish and make suitable provision for the support and maintenance of an efficient system of free public schools.”
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Bill says:
I find it amusing that Burka took the time to write a post back in March when Bryan Hughes drew Mary Lookadoo as an opponent, then again in April when Bill Ratliff endorsed Lookadoo–as though Hughes might be vulnerable. He won last night with over 77% of the vote in a newly-drawn House District 5–a district in which two large-population counties (Harrison and Upshur) were removed and replaced with Titus County and large swaths of rural Smith County. This was Hughes’ first primary challenge in six election cycles, and he knocked it out of the park. I wouldn’t underestimate him.
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Bill Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 1:30 pm
UPDATE: They also added Rains County to District 5.
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paulburka Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 1:36 pm
I didn’t underestimate Hughes. I was reacting to a tip that he was spending a lot of time out of his district helping Wayne Christian with his race. Lookado started much too late to have any chance to win.
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