Republicans cling to bare majority in Texas House; Speaker Tom Craddick's future is cloudy

[struggle4progress]

Source: Dallas Morning News

05:48 PM CST on Wednesday, November 5, 2008
By KAREN BROOKS and TERRENCE STUTZ

AUSTIN – ... The GOP entered Tuesday's election with a 79-71 advantage in the House. Democrats picked up a net of three seats, narrowing the GOP margin to 76-74. Democrats also picked up one state Senate seat, though Republicans maintain a solid majority there.

The all-important 75th House seat could be determined by a razor-thin Dallas-area contest. In Irving, incumbent Linda Harper-Brown, a Republican, has a 25-vote lead over Democrat Bob Romano, but a recount is almost certain and provisional ballots – those whose legitimacy is determined after they are cast – remain to be counted.

The loss of Republican seats throws into question the future of House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, who barely hung on to his post last session in the face of bipartisan opposition.

“Stick a fork in Tom Craddick. He’s done,” said House Democratic leader Jim Dunnam of Waco ...

Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/topstories/stories/110508dnpoltxlege.47f90b9.html

[chalky]

1. A big step in the right direction. Now, about that gerrymandering....

n/t

[aquart]

2. Ain't doing as much good as they thought.

[cally]

3. WOW, how many seats were gained by Republican redistricting

It's possible Dems could require a revision in the redistricting after 2010. We'd gain numerous seats in the House.

[No Elephants]

4. Please pass me a fork.

[blueclown]

5. I thought the Delay gerrymander was just for the U.S. House?

It also including the Texas House too?