The list of legislators who could attempt to move up the chain in two years includes State Rep. Brandon Creighton - a Conroe Republican whose name is circulating through Austin political circles as a possible candidate for land commissioner or another statewide position.

Republican State Rep. Dan Branch of Dallas may have his eye on the biggest prize of all the state lawmakers who are pondering possible advancements or being floated as potential contenders statewide. Branch, who's one of the speaker's closest friends, revealed last month that he's seriously considering a campaign in 2014 for lieutenant governor after rewriting the fundraising record book last year for a House member in a re-election race without opposition.

The Senate presiding officer's job will be vacant when the regular session convenes in 2013 if Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst wins a U.S. Senate seat later this year as a significant frontrunner in that particular contest. While the Senate's 31 members would elect a temporary two-year replacement, none have expressed an interest in a statewide campaign for lieutenant governor when it's on the ballot again in 2014.

At least two additional statewide posts will open up as a result of a Dewhurst early departure with Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples and Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson planning to run for lieutenant governor in the event that the incumbent isn't a candidate again. State Comptroller Susan Combs is contemplating a bid for lieutenant governor as well in two years but reserving the option to seek another term in her current post.

All of the House members who are subjects of speculation on statewide contests share common threads that are related in part to their close ties to the San Antonio Republican who claimed the speaker's job initially three years ago.

Geren - for example - has been chairing the House Administration Committee since early 2009 when he was one of a dozen Republicans who gave Straus the boost he needed to win his first race for speaker that year. As the owner of a ranch and a popular barbecue restaurant, Geren would presumably qualify for the agriculture commissioner race under state law that requires candidates to have experience in the industry they hope to regulate.

While Hilderbran backed Republican Tom Craddick for a fourth term as speaker when Straus unseated him, the Hill Country lawmaker shifted his loyalty to the current speaker in 2011 en route to an appointment to the coveted position of Ways and Means Committee chairman.

Creighton is a Straus ally whose stock had been on a steady rise before the speaker tapped him a year ago for the lead role on a newly-created Select Committee on State Sovereignty. The special assignment put Creighton in position to take the lead on state rights measures that are highly popular within the conservative GOP base. Creighton's clout grew even more as the lead sponsor on legislation that tort reform advocates considered to be among their highest priorities.

Branch has been leading the Higher Education Committee since Straus' initial election as speaker. Branch passed on opportunities for appointments to the chairs of two or three more powerful committees as a result of his passion and interest in the development of policies that govern public universities in Texas. Branch had weighed a possible campaign for attorney general in 2010 before deciding to seek another House term instead.

All of the lawmakers in the statewide speculation mill have demonstrated an ability to generate substantial sums of campaign money. Branch listed contributions of more than $1 million last year and a campaign cash balance of $1.7 million at the start of January on a report that read more like those filed by statewide contenders than legislators.

Hilderbran entered January with almost $440,000 in cash on hand after raising $150,000 last year. Geren had contributions topping $189,000 in 2011 and ended the year with $321,000 in reserve. Creighton reported a cash balance of $242,000 after rounding up almost $116,000 during the past 12 months.