Harry Cabluck/AP Photo Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, left, heir-apparent to the position of Texas House speaker, is shown at a news conference in the Capitol Rotunda Monday in Austin. He vowed to reduce the influence of special interest groups in Austin and said nearly two-thirds of his fellow members support his candidacy now that current Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, has backed out. Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, is on the right.
Harry Cabluck /
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