It's been a tough five months for Texas Speaker Tom Craddick, the first Republican to lead the chamber since Reconstruction and a leader who rules with an iron hand.

It's been a tough five months for Texas Speaker Tom Craddick, the first Republican to lead the chamber since Reconstruction and a leader who rules with an iron hand. In this rough and tumble session, members who were angered over his parliamentary rulings on which bills could be taken up and when, overrode him. His parliamentarian resigned. A group of members tried to call a vote to decide if Craddick should finish his third term as speaker or be removed. Craddick, saying he has "absolute authority" refused to recognize anyone wanting to make a "motion to vacate the chair." Dozens of lawmakers walked out during the last hours of the session temporarily shutting down the House with more than 30 bills pending when Representative Pat Haggerty, a fellow Republican, began taking an unofficial roll call vote on Craddick's leadership, asking members to shout "aye" or "nay." A group of House Republicans sought an attorney general's investigation into whether Craddick exercised constitutional use of his power when he shut down their attempt to oust him. GOP Representative Byron Cook made a speech on the floor imploring Craddick not to seek another term as speaker: "Please don't put this body through 18 months of hell." Six members are set to run against him.