Republican Rep. Jim Pitts withdraws from speaker's race, leaving Tom Craddick as leader of the Texas House.

Reporter-Telegram reporter Bob Campbell reports that Pitts shook Craddick's hand and conceded at 5:24 p.m. Craddick expected to make speech shortly.

Craddick fended off the coup attempt after a day of political wrangling Tuesday by Pitts, one of his former GOP allies, solidifying a legislative reign that's come under criticism as too heavy-handed and undemocratic.

Craddick, who won the leadership post in January 2003 and became the first Republican to hold the job in 130 years, insisted through Tuesday's opening day of the Legislature that he had the votes to remain in power.

Chron.com: Because of the vote with Harnett amendment, "The Craddick's are smiling.

statesman.com: The vote with the Hartnett amendment calling for immediate release of ballots "would seem to signal a victory for Craddick."

From Reporter-Telegram reporter Bob Campbell in Austin:

House members pass Hartnett Amendent calling for ballots to be reveaaled immediately, a positive sign for Speaker of the House Tom Craddick of Midland in his efforts to win another Speakership. The vote was 96-51 in favor of revealing ballots immediately.

Two other amendments failed: The Geren amendment, 96-51, delaying the release of how representatives voted by two weeks, or after committee assignments are handed out, and the Merritt amendment, which also failed, 91-57, which would have called for the balloting to remain secret indefinitely.

Chron.com reporting that Rep. Phil King says he knows of no plans to have lege break for day without castint vote for Speaker.

Peggy Fikac at chron.com says some lawmakers feel stall tactics a way for craddick to round up the necessary votes that he just may not have.
http://blogs.chron.com/texaspolitics/

Bob Campbell says the House is taking a break while a constitutional challenge to postpone the public release of the ballots is being researched.

Bob Campbell reports paper ballots in the vote for Speaker of the House will be the method of balloting and that open records laws do not apply in the speaker voting.

Campbell said it would likely be after 5 p.m. when a vote is taken.