Anti-Straus protesters rally near Truitt's Southlake office

With Christmas shoppers and workers on a lunch break strolling by, about 50 conservative activists protested in the middle of Southlake Town Square Monday, hoping to persuade a local state representative to withdraw her support for House Speaker Joe Straus.

The NE Tarrant Tea Party was the organizing force behind the protest aimed at state Rep. Vicki Truitt, R-Keller, whose district office was just a block away. The event was one of dozens planned around the state near offices of Republican representatives backing Straus.

“The facts on the ground have changed so our representative should act on the will of the people,” said Ellen Lopez, a member of the NE Tarrant Tea Party.

Straus needs 76 supporters to remain speaker. Truitt is one of more than 100 House members, about 70 of them Republicans, that have pledged to back Straus. In recent weeks, a handful of members that had previously backed Straus publicly have withdrawn their pledges.

There was no chanting or speeches at the Southlake event. Protesters stood for an hour chatting amongst each other and holding signs that read, “Be Accountable Oust Straus” and “Straus Pro-Life! Not!” A few rally attendees held yellow “Truitt Blew It” signs left over from the 2010 Republican primary.

Attendees and passers-by were urged to sign a petition calling for a unified Republican caucus to choose a conservative for speaker. Virtually everyone at the event appeared to be supporting state Rep. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, to replace Straus.

Lopez said a Republican caucus vote is preferable, even if Straus ends up still coming out the winner.

“I’m more comfortable with that outcome because then he’s more accountable to the Republican majority,” Lopez said.

(Photo credit: Star-Telegram/Ron Ennis) 

-Aman Batheja

Comments

[dondeesta]

There was actually only 23 actual people at this rally. fyi.

[Voterwise]

The official count was 60 persons attending this rally and many more who wished they could be there but were unable to get away in the middle of the day.

[Ellen Lopez]

As one of the organizers of today's Southlake rally, 43 people signed the petition and many of us had already signed it previously. Our count was an attendance closer to 60 or so - it was a terrific turnout plus some passersby who were interested, looked at our information on the current Speaker and supported our call to Rep. Truitt to withdraw her pledge and listen to her constituents.

[TeaPatriot]

Eh... there were maybe 20 people at this rally. I was there. These people are crazy. Straus is a died in the wool Conservative who helped Reagan win Texas in 1980.

Paxton is a joke who can't even keep most of his businesses ventures in good standing with the state.

Just look at the picture. Tell me, where are the 50 people?

[dla2of17]

I don't know "dondeesta" but I was at the Southlake event where there were at least 50 people actively protesting Ms. Truitt position on Speaker Straus.

[freddymac]

Citizens attempting to hold elected officials accountable,??? this has to stop!!!!

[Brett]

Thank you to all the Republican Patroits who attended this Rally to Oust Straus.

I agree with Ellen Lopez that the Republicans need to select the Speaker from inside their Republican Caucus.

Straus was selected last time by 65 Democrats and only 11 Republicans. Straus is a moderate and appointed the Liberal Democrat Rene Oliveira to chair the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Young Conservatives of Texas rated Oliveira at only 15 out of 100. Oliveira blocked conservative legislation aimed at reforming Texas's property tax system and also legislation aimed at cutting taxes. Oliveira also blocked any bill from exiting his committee that was not authored or co-authored by a Democrat. The list of Straus committee chair appointments goes on and on with a similar pattern throughout. It is no wonder that Straus has the support of the Democrats for his re-election to the position of Speaker.

A Conservative would never have done that. That is why 90% of all Conservatives are calling to Oust Straus as Speaker.

[Marcial Bonifacio]

Freddymac, you are not in favor of government accountability? You trust the government completely?

[Allen]

These Representatives will start to get the hint that they won't ignore us and get away with it. Liberals learned that mocking the Tea Parties only served to get the Democrats SPANKED in the election. Now RINOs and Conservative Republicans daring to ignore their constituents will learn not to ignore or mock us either. Those that vote for Straus will be replaced in primaries. PERIOD. Two thing sthat will NOT be ignored or trifled with; the Constitution and WE THE PEOPLE!

[desslocktx]

This quote pretty much sums up the attitude of the anti-Strauss side: "Well, what am I supposed to do? I mean, I'm not gonna be ignored!" - Alex Forrest (Glenn Close) from the movie Fatal Attraction.