Rep. Simpson Running for Texas House Speaker

AUSTIN (AP) � Tea party-backed state Representative David Simpson says he�s running for Texas House speaker while another conservative favorite, state Rep. Bryan Hughes, is abandoning his bid for the post. Simpson, a second-term Republican from Longview, had said previously he wasn�t interested in challenging fellow Republican Joe Straus of San Antonio for the speakership. But he announced Monday that he had been urged to run and decided to do so �after much prayer, consideration and counsel.� Simpson caused a stir last year by sponsoring legislation to criminalize excessive touching during airport security pat-downs. Straus has been speaker since 2009 but has been criticized by the far-right for being too moderate. Hughes, a Republican from Mineola, announced months ago that he would challenge Straus. But he released a statement Monday endorsing Simpson.