AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A second conservative legislator is mulling
a challenge to moderate Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, raising the
specter of a Republican leadership battle as lawmakers grapple with
a huge budget shortfall early next year.

State Rep. Warren Chisum told The Associated Press on Tuesday
that he would decide before the November elections whether to mount
a challenge to the top House leader. Chisum is a Republican from
Pampa.

State Rep. Leo Berman, a Tyler Republican, has already announced
his decision to run against Straus when lawmakers return to Austin
in January.


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