A controversial, conservative state lawmaker says he's running for house speaker to help make sure his Arizona-style immigration plan comes to Texas; However, in the same interview, State Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, also told KVUE News he does not believe the speaker's race is one he can win.
For Berman’s promised-legislation to survive, he believes moderate House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, has got to go.
"I'm saying that I want a new speaker, and I'll work for a new speaker. And I want that done,” said Berman on May 17..
In the same exclusive interview with KVUE News, he was asked if he wanted to be the next speaker
“No,” Berman responded, "You said the word before. You said lightning. I'm a lightning rod. A lightning rod can't be elected speaker.”
Before Rep. Berman could find his portrait hanging among Speakers of the Texas House, he'd have to get a lot of support from within his own party -- something experts say is not readily available.
"With all due respect to Rep. Berman, I don't think that any member really thinks that he would protect the institution or the members,” said Harvey Kronberg, publisher of the online political newsletter Quorum Report.
The veteran political watcher explains Berman's candidacy as a product of a political climate in which conservative republicans and tea-party activists are emboldened by the Obama administration -- and tired of moderates like Straus, who pledged to work with democratic lawmakers.
"There is a wing of the party unhappy with his speakership, and it's the wing that Leo Berman comes from,” he said.
