It was just over a year ago that Denis Bonnen, the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, announced he would not run for his House seat in Tuesday’s election. The question of his replacement as Speaker has been quietly behind the scenes until this week.

Last Friday, Houston Democrat Senfronia Thompson filed the paperwork to begin a campaign for the Speakers position officially. She was quickly followed by fellow Democrat Trey Martinez Fisher from San Antonio. Four Republican members of the House then filed their paperwork: Chris Paddie of Marshall, John Cryier of Lockhart and Geanie Morrison of Victoria. Democrat Oscar Longoria of Mission then filed.  After Morrison announced, Cryier pulled his name and supported Morrison.  Then Sunday, Dade Phelan, Republican from Port Neches filed.

The Speaker of the House’s race went from zero candidates to seven official candidates in a week, then back to six. Then, back to seven.  More will file in the coming weeks, while more people will most likely drop out. The Speaker’s election is the first order of business for the full House of Representatives when it convenes on January 12.

The new Speaker will likely cobble together a majority of the members, some Republican, some Democratic. Speaker Bonnen was elected in a unanimous vote, but only after he had demonstrated that he had a clear majority of members who would vote for him. It is improbable a member would cast a vote against the Speaker. It has happened, but that is a story for a blog about the North Texas delegation’s history to the House.

The House Republican Caucus, which holds an 8-seat majority in the House today, has announced they would select a Speaker from within their members and unite behind that choice. However, the upcoming election may change the majority party of the House. There is nothing legally binding to keep unhappy members of the caucus from rebelling.

If you are a political enthusiast, the election is just the start of the Texas political season.