TribBlog: Paxton Adds Two
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Add state Reps. Erwin Cain of Como and James White of Hillister to the list of members backing Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, for speaker of the House.
The two freshmen join a growing list of conservative Republicans who oppose sitting Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio.
Straus still claims more than enough votes to win re-election when the Legislature convenes Jan. 11, but the steady drip, drip, drip for Paxton continues. Neither Cain nor White had committed to Straus (some of Paxton's other supporters, including Paxton himself, were previously pledged to Straus).
Warren Chisum, R-Pampa, is also in the race, though Paxton appears to have more support. Last week, two of Chisum's fellow West Texans — Jim Landtroop of Plainview and Charles Perry of Lubbock — announced their support for Paxton.
Counting the candidate himself, that brings Paxton to nine votes. Straus claims pledges from more than 120. It takes 76 to win.
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