Lawmaker blasts blog criticism

State Rep. David Simpson, a conservative candidate for House speaker, blasted anonymous bloggers for stinging personal and political criticism of him in a statement released late Thursday.

Simpson, R-Longview, pointed to a blog, which his staff later identified as Conservative Politics - Texas Style, as containing “fabrications without even the pretense of proof.”

The blog includes references to Simpson’s family life and religious stances. It also contains an inaccurate list of supposed Simpson supporters.

Simpson didn’t respond to phone calls, but in a statement he said: “These tactics exemplify what’s wrong with ‘politics as usual’ in Texas right now. … We must leave behind the politics of whispered insinuations, intimidation, and retribution.”

When asked to respond, Erin Daly, spokeswoman for House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, didn’t address Simpson.

“Speaker Straus wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and looks forward to a productive session,” Daly said.

The legislature convenes Jan. 8 and the House will elect its speaker for the session that day.

State Rep. Dawnna Dukes, who was on the list of members supposedly supporting Simpson, said in a statement that she has never backed the tea party favorite.

“To the source responsible for this anonymous post, shame on you. Texas deserves better,” said Dukes, who did not declare her preference.

Even state Rep. Senfronia Thompson, DHouston, was on the list. Thompson and Simpson had a very public fight last session over a bill to regulate large dog breeding operations called puppy mills.

“I can’t believe it myself,” said Thompson, a Straus supporter.

Simpson didn’t specifically blame Straus for not stopping the blog postings. But he mentioned in his statement that state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, had sent a letter to Straus, with copies to all members, that admonished the speaker for allowing such activity.