Texas Republicans Elect New Speaker as Democrats Provide Crucial Support

January 14, 2025 TruthUSA

Forty-nine Democrats collaborated with 36 Republicans to elect Rep. Dustin Burrows to the third most significant position within the state government.

Texas Republican Rep. Dustin Burrows has become the new Texas Speaker of the House, securing more support from Democrats than from his own party.

On January 14, which marked the opening day of the 89th Legislature in Austin, Burrows was elected with the backing of forty-nine Democrats and thirty-six Republicans.

This outcome was a setback for the conservative faction of the Texas GOP, who preferred a speaker less reliant on Democratic support.

In contrast, fellow Republican David Cook garnered 55 votes, the majority from the caucus.

Nine members of the 150-member lower chamber were present but chose not to vote, while one was absent. To secure the speakership, a majority of 76 votes from the 150-member chamber is required.

According to the rules of the state GOP, all 88 Republicans were expected to back Cook after a caucus vote held in December.

This failure to unite meant that the moderate faction of Republicans willing to collaborate with Democrats would continue to dominate in the House.

Burrows’s predecessor and ally, Rep. Dade Phelan, withdrew from the speaker race after almost losing his seat during a tough Republican primary contest.

Burrows expressed gratitude to his supporters in a social media post shortly after his victory.

“While the majority [Republicans] will guide our course, the House’s strength lies in its diversity, and my leadership will be dedicated to ensuring every voice is heard and every district represented this session,” he remarked.

His post received immediate backlash from conservative Republicans, with some on X demanding that Burrows and the Republicans who supported him be censured by the state GOP and face primary challenges.

Censured lawmakers could be prohibited from participating in Republican primaries.

In Texas, the speaker is considered the third most powerful position in the state government, as that individual wields considerable influence over which bills are brought to vote.

Some Republicans are concerned that speakers primarily elected with Democratic support may compromise the state’s conservative agenda.

During Phelan’s leadership, several Democrats were appointed to prominent positions, including committee chairs.

Conservative Republicans argue that important conservative legislation has been hindered in the past because of the power held by committee chairs who were Democrats.

Over the past month, the ongoing conflicts within the Republican Party have led to a surge of social media activity from state lawmakers and others, including remarks from Donald Trump Jr., with calls for the GOP to censure lawmakers deviating from the established rules.

Both Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick expressed support for electing a speaker favored by the majority of Republican lawmakers. Meanwhile, Attorney General Ken Paxton has rallied for Cook to be elected as speaker.

The Texas GOP recently launched advertising campaigns against Burrows in his hometown of Lubbock, posting a warning on X on December 12 that it was time for Burrows to step aside and endorse Cook.

“Any lawmaker conspiring with Democrats to undermine our party is unacceptable. The @TexasGOP will always work to uphold the Republican brand and the integrity of our party. This ad is just the beginning,” the post read.

The speaker contest triggered a complaint filed on January 8 by Republican state Rep. Cody Harris, a supporter of Burrows, with the Texas Ethics Commission against state GOP Chairman Abraham George.

The complaint accused George of breaching ethics rules by threatening to send out damaging mailers or censure lawmakers who back Burrows for the speakership.

George denied any wrongdoing in a statement issued on January 9, asserting that there was nothing inappropriate about urging members of the Republican caucus to rally behind Cook.

Source link