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On January 11, 2011 Joe Straus was re-elected Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives for a second term. Despite challenges mounted by the newly empowered conservative members of his own party Straus never faced a serious threat to his re-appointment. Straus was first elected Speaker when he defeated fellow Republican Tom Craddick in 2009. After Republicans lost seats in the 2008 election and as dissatisfaction with then Speaker Craddick grew, Straus threw his name into the hat as an alternative to Craddick along with several other members. He eventually won the support not only of key Republican members but also a large number of Democratic members and thus the Speakership. As Speaker he appointed 16 Democrats as committee chairs out of a total of 34. Joe Straus is a lifelong resident on San Antonio. He has represented District 21 in Bexar County since winning the seat in a special election in 2005. While serving as a member of the House Straus served on the Committee on Regulated Industries, the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars and as Vice Chair of the Committee on Economic Development. During his early political career he was campaign manager for U.S. Representative Lamar Smith in 1968 and served in both the Reagan and the second Bush White Houses. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a B.A. in Political Science and is a partner in the insurance and benefits practice of Watson, Mazur, Bennett & Straus, L.L.C. Straus is married to Julie Brink Straus with who he has two daughters. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Link: Texas Tribune http://www.texastribune.org/directory/joe-straus/, Official Biography http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/speaker/#biography
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