SAN ANTONIO – Reactions and statements are coming in after Texas House Speaker Joe Straus made a surprise announcement on Wednesday that he will will not seek re-election next year.

The lawmaker from San Antonio made the surprise announcement on his Facebook page and in an email to supporters.

TOP STORY ON KSAT.COM: Texas House Speaker Joe Straus will not seek re-election

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He said he came to the decision with his family. His current term expires in December 2018 just before the Legislature next convenes.

Below are reactions from the decision. (Article will be updated as statements come into KSAT-12.)

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott:

"Joe Straus has served with distinction for both the people in his district and for the Texas House of Representatives. I thank Speaker Straus for his service and for his commitment to the State of Texas. Cecilia and I wish Joe and Julie all the best.”

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg via Twitter:

"In a world longing for true statesmanship, @SpeakerStraus proved himself to be a model for Texas and our country. God bless Joe Straus."

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick via Twitter:

Rep. Lyle Larson, District 122 (R):

Spoke to KSAT’s Myra Arthur and called Straus the “steady hand on the wheel of governance.”

“I don’t like seeing people who are even-tempered, mild-mannered and work for solutions for our state leave government because it’s rare to have somebody that doesn’t have an ego and that has a temperament to deal with the distractions on the far right and the far left and continue to push the ball forward for the state.”

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff:

Spoke to KSAT and said with Straus no longer serving as speaker, he expects to see more legislation aimed at attacking local government.

"He's been the voice of reason. He's taken a lot of hits from the right wing of the Republican Party. I would imagine he finally got tired of it. He's been such a champion of local government.”

Rep. Chris Turner, Chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus:

"I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Speaker Straus for his service to the Texas House of Representatives and the entire state of Texas. His deliberative approach to public policy will be truly missed, as will the inclusive manner in which he ran the House. Under Speaker Straus, the House led the way on a number of bipartisan accomplishments, including public school accountability reform, water infrastructure and mental health access.



"As past speakers have been, the next speaker will be elected only with bipartisan support. When the full House votes on a new Speaker in January 2019, members of the House Democratic Caucus will support a member who has demonstrated he or she will focus on real solutions for all Texans, not on narrow, divisive, partisan interests."

Texans for Lawsuit Reform (TLR):

“Speaker Straus has been a steadfast champion for a fair, efficient and accessible legal system in Texas, and his support has been critical in helping Texas enact common-sense lawsuit reforms during every session in which he served as speaker,” TLR President Richard J. Trabulsi Jr. said. “Speaker Straus is a gentleman, and his civility has been a hallmark of his public service. We wish him, Julie and their family the best in this new chapter.”