Representative Joe Straus is the new speaker of the Texas House, winning by acclamation and ending the six-year reign of Tom Craddick.

• Position: People & Politics - Brief article

Representative Joe Straus is the new speaker of the Texas House, winning by acclamation and ending the six-year reign of Tom Craddick. The two-term lawmaker is the first Jewish speaker since Texas was a republic, and the ecumenical day opened with a prayer by a Roman Catholic cardinal and closed with a blessing by a Presbyterian minister. "There is much wisdom and experience in this body amongst the members who have served far longer than I," Straus said. "Your guidance is essential." Straus...