Hensarling Decides Not to Run for House Speaker

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Dallas-based Congressman Jeb Hensarling, whose district includes much of East Texas, now says he will not try to become House speaker after John Boehner’s resignation announcement last week. SMU political science Professor Cal Jillson says Hensarling likely tested the water and found he didn’t have enough support. According to Jillson, “Hensarling already had an important committee chairmanship, of Financial Services, and so he has chosen to…try to…stay as chair of Financial Services rather than risk a long shot.” Jillson says Hensarling angered some in the business wing of the Republican Party when he succeeded in getting the U.S. Import-Export Bank shut down for a time. Jillson does think Dallas Congressman Pete Sessions has a good chance at becoming majority whip