In a significant shake-up within the Texas Legislature, House Speaker Dade Phelan has dropped his bid for a third term following a fierce internal party conflict according to The Texas Tribune.
On Friday, Phelan ended his campaign in a move that underscored the brutal intraparty challenges he faced. Phelan, who was gearing up for another term, pointed to a strenuous campaign led by state Rep. David Cook of Mansfield, which aggressively pushed for his ouster.
In his announcement, Phelan expressed deep respect for the legislative body and its members, emphasizing the difficult nature of his decision.
Phelan’s decision came just as the Republican caucus was about to meet on Saturday to choose their nominee for the Speaker of the Texas House.
The meeting’s outcome was crucial, as it would significantly influence the future leadership and policy direction under the new speaker. Phelan had previously hoped to garner enough votes to overcome Cook's challenge, reflecting earlier confidence in his support base within the party.
Meanwhile, state Rep. Dustin Burrows of Lubbock, a close ally of Phelan, threw his hat in the ring for the speaker position, aiming to unite both Democrats and uncommitted Republicans. However, this effort faces headwinds, especially from Cook’s growing supporters and the conservative wing of the party, who have consistently pushed for a shift rightward.
The political dynamics within the Texas House have been particularly strained, with Phelan relying on a coalition of Democrats and some Republicans. His leadership had been marked both by significant legislative achievements and contentious political battles.
This includes criticism stemming from Attorney General Ken Paxton’s acquittal on corruption charges, where Phelan's leadership faced heightened scrutiny and his opposition to a favored school voucher bill among hardline conservatives.
David Cook's camp gained additional momentum with the recent acquisition of new backers, edging closer to the necessary votes under caucus rules to secure a GOP endorsement.
Achieving 60% of the votes in the meeting would decisively position Cook to receive unanimous Republican support during the official House vote come January.
The role of the Speaker is pivotal in Texas politics, having significant control over legislative agendas and priorities. Phelan's tenure showed substantial conservative victories, but his perceived moderation has been a bone of contention, intensifying the partisan divide within the caucus.
Conservative factions, particularly those ally with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, have even advocated for limiting the Speaker's powers and excluding Democrats from major committee leaderships.
In response to Phelan's withdrawal, voices from both sides of the political spectrum have emerged to shape the discourse. "Phase one accomplished. Also, we will NOT vote in a Dade 2.0," stated Rep.-elect Shelley Luther, reflecting a clear rejection of candidates similar to Phelan.
On the other end, Democrats and even some progressive voices within the GOP expressed their discontent with the potential speakers being considered, underlining the stakes involved.
Abraham George, a vocal supporter of turning the Texas House towards more conservative leadership, framed Phelan's exit as a victory for reform and challenged sitting Republicans to demonstrate their allegiance ahead of upcoming primaries.
As the GOP meeting approaches, the focus intensifies on who will emerge as the speaker nominee and how they will navigate the complex and divided political landscape within the Texas Legislature.