Republican House Speaker Tom Craddick, who only months ago seemed to be hanging on to his powerful job by a thread, has emerged from the latest round of elections considerably strengthened. For now anyway.
After fending off a bitter palace coup attempt last year, Craddick gained more supporters than he lost in primary elections March 4 and in the April 8 runoffs.
But a more telling indication of Craddick's momentum came last week, after the primary and runoffs were settled: One of his most ardent critics, Republican Rep. Todd Smith of Bedford, announced his allegiance to the one-time foe.
Smith told Texas Weekly, an online political newsletter, that since the primary results, he no longer believes another Republican can beat Craddick.
"The facts changed and I am reacting to the facts ... I no longer see a scenario where we get a Republican speaker who is not Craddick," Smith said.
