Austin, TX – Critics of Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick are now taking aim at one of his top lieutenants, House Parliamentarian Terry Keel.
Three GOP representatives are calling on Keel to resign. They describe him as a biased advocate for Craddick's continued reign rather than an impartial umpire working for the entire House membership.
Keel helped save Craddick from a political coup attempt last year and will likely be at the center of a renewed fight over the speaker's job.
Rep. Burt Solomons, R-Carrollton is one several lawmakers vying to become speaker. In a letter to Keel sent late Friday, Solomons said quote: ``A majority of my House colleagues agree that you have become a polarizing figure with divided loyalties, and should no longer be the House Parliamentarian. You are working for the current Speaker and not the body.''
The next day, Reps. Tommy Merritt, R-Longview, and Delwin Jones, R-Lubbock, joined in. They also are candidates for House speaker.
Though it involves an arcane legal process and ancient precedents, maintaining control of the rule-making infrastructure has been key to Craddick's continued reign.