Speaker Stuff: Sitting Back & Waiting

The Seguine Gazette-Enterprise has an interesting story on how Rep. Edmund Kuempel is getting ready for the session…which includes waiting to make a decision on the Craddick race:

While Kuempel will be involved in the important issues of the Legislative session, there is one thing that he plans not to be a part of — the fight as to whether or not House Speaker Tom Craddick retains his position before the session begins.

Craddick, R-Midland, is being challenged by two fellow Republicans, State Reps. Brian McCall of Plano, and Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie.

McCall has said that he has enough votes to take the speaker’s position away from Craddick. Pitts has not said how many supporters he has on his side.

Last week, Craddick released the names of 84 state representatives who have pledged to vote for him. That is more than the 75 needed for a majority in the current 149-member state House, which has one seat vacant.

Some state legislators want Craddick out because of what they perceive as his authoritarian governing style and forcing members of his own party to vote against the interests of their districts.

Kuempel did not say if he would back Craddick or his two challengers.

“I am sitting back and watching,” Kuempel said.

Kuempel said he has a good working relationship with Craddick.

“We get along well,” he said.

Interesting.