Straus gets hearty welcome from House Dems

Soon-to-be-House Speaker Joe Straus got a hearty welcome from the House Democratic Caucus at an informal meeting the group had at the Capitol today.

Democrats played a critical role in the ascendance of the two-term Republican legislator from San Antonio. Nearly all of them signed on early to support Straus.

The room erupted in applause and legislators doled out hugs and handshakes when Straus entered the room today.

Reporters weren't allowed to stay in the room for Straus' remarks to the private gathering. After the meeting state Rep. Chente Quintanilla, D-El Paso, said Straus promised to run the House in a bipartisan manner.

"He recognizes the 76-74 (partisan split in the House) as a mandate to work together," he said. 

Quintanilla said he left the meeting feeling optimistic about the upcoming legislative session. Judging by the smiles and relaxed faces of other Democrats at the meeting, they seem pretty hopeful, too.

"It was great reassurance that he means well," Quintanilla said, "that he means to work in a bipartisan mode."

Straus shakes hands with state Rep.-elect Marisa Marquez (in the green) as state Reps. Dora Olivo (in the black sweater), Norma Chavez (in the black with pink stripes), Jim McReynolds (left of Chavez) and Chente Quintanilla (between Marquez and McReynolds, though you can't see him well) wait their turn to greet the incoming House Speaker. 

(Thanks to Bud Kennedy from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram for the photo)