(January 2, 2009)—A group of Republican insurgents selected Rep. Joe Straus, R- San Antonio, as their candidate to challenge long-serving House Speaker Tom Craddick, one of the most powerful leaders in state government.

"This group is united. I'm going to try to bring everyone together,” Straus said Friday.

He was chosen after at least 11 GOP House members met at a private residence late Friday afternoon to pick a consensus speaker candidate who will lead the badly divided chamber when the 81st session of the Texas Legislature convenes Jan 13.

Strauss was elected to the Texas House in a special election in February 2005.

His district includes the communities of Alamo heights, Olmos Park, Terrell Hills, Windcrest and northeast San Antonio.

In the last session of the Legislature, he served on the Committee on Economic Development, the Committee on Regulated Industries, and the Local and Consent Calendars Committee.

He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a B.A. in political science.

He’s married and he and his wife have two daughters.

Craddick, the longest serving Republican in state elective office, won't go down without a fight.

He plans to hold his own meeting Sunday.

Democrats plan to meet Saturday to discuss the speaker’s race.

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