Speaker Smithee?

So State Rep. John Smithee of Amarillo is now officially “in” as a candidate for House Speaker. A member of the Legislature since 1984, he is one of only 15 House members to receive our “Texas Taxpayer Hero Award” for his outstanding representation in the 2007 session. He had a 91% score on the Fiscal Responsibility Index.

As I noted in my post earlier this evening about Rep. Joe Straus, Empower Texans and Texans for Fiscal Responsibility is not involved in the speaker’s race, but all Texans should be rightly concerned by some of the issues surrounding this race.

(Speaker Tom Craddick withdrew from the race this evening, effectively ending his tenure as Speaker.)

Some think the public should be shut out of the debate — and even out of knowing who voted for who — but that doesn’t serve the interests of Texans.

Smithee has proven himself an honorable man, working hard for his constituents in Amarillo and all taxpayers in Texas.

Michael Quinn Sullivan

Michael Quinn Sullivan is the publisher of Texas Scorecard. He is a native Texan, a graduate of Texas A&M, and an Eagle Scout. Previously, he has worked as a newspaper reporter, magazine contributor, Capitol Hill staffer, and think tank vice president. Michael and his wife have three adult children, a son-in-law, and a dog. Michael is the author of three books, including "Reflections on Life and Liberty."