Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan has announced his decision not to seek reelection following significant intra-party conflict.
The Daily Caller reported that Republican Dade Phelan, the current Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, disclosed on Friday that he will not run for a third term.
This announcement comes amidst internal disputes and scrutiny following his involvement in an impeachment attempt against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Phelan's decision appears to stem from the considerable backlash he faced from within his party. Earlier this year, Phelan spearheaded an initiative for the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton, a fellow Republican, which ultimately failed and resulted in heightened tensions within the party.
Phelan was an establishment Republican that overplayed his hand and it has cost him the ability to lead the Texas Republican Party.
During the May runoff for the speaker's position, the rift within the Republican party became evident. Noteworthy Republicans such as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, and President-elect Donald Trump publicly supported Phelan's opponent, David Covey.
This support highlighted the division within the party and set the stage for Phelan's later decision to withdraw from the race.
Attorney General Ken Paxton was particularly vocal in his criticism of Phelan. Paxton accused him of betrayal, alleging that Phelan had consistently prioritized Democrat interests over those of his Republican colleagues.
This severe critique underscored the fraught dynamics within the Texas GOP as Paxton stated, “Phelan’s legacy is one of betrayal: prioritizing Democrat interests over his caucus, leaving Republican members exposed, attempting a shameful impeachment stunt and consistently failing to deliver for the voters who sent him to Austin.”
As the battle for leadership intensified, other Republican figures emerged as possible successors. Among them are State Reps. Dustin Burrows and David Cook, both of whom are considered leading candidates for the speakership.
Burrows, in particular, has come under fire from critics who disapprove of his tenure as Calendars Committee chairman during the 87th Legislature.
One significant controversy during Burrows' tenure involved House Bill 1399, which sought to ban gender-affirming medical procedures for minors.
The bill ultimately failed to pass, a result for which Burrows has been heavily criticized. Independent writer Jeff Younger accused Burrows of deliberately stalling the bill, claiming that this delay resulted in harm to many children over the two years it took to pass similar legislation.
In his farewell statement, Phelan reflected on his tenure and the future of the Texas House.
He emphasized the importance of leadership change for greater unity within the legislative body: “By stepping aside, I believe we create the best opportunity for our members to rally around a new candidate who will uphold the principles that make our House one of the most exceptional, deliberative legislative bodies in the country—a place where honor, integrity, and the right of every member to vote their district takes utmost precedent.”
As the Texas House of Representatives moves forward, the focus shifts to the upcoming leadership election.
With Phelan stepping down and the controversy surrounding his tenure, the battle for the speakership remains fraught with political intrigue. The repercussions of this leadership change will likely influence not only the dynamics within the Texas House but also the broader political landscape in Texas.