AUSTIN (May 27, 2009--Republican Texas House Speaker Joe Straus wants another term leading the House.

Straus paperwork Wednesday with the Texas Ethics Commission to seek his second term in the office.

Straus became speaker of the narrowly divided House in January.

His surprise candidacy was boosted by a coalition of Democrats and Republicans who opposed former Speaker Tom Craddick.

In recent days, Straus has shunned his bipartisan approach, taking sides with the GOP in a partisan battle over legislation to increase ID requirements for Texans to vote.

Straus, the only official candidate to date, can officially begin campaigning after the legislative session ends next Monday.