Different groups of the Texas GOP are fighting for control of the gavel after Dade Phelan withdrew from the campaign to be the state’s House Speaker. Steven Dial of FOX 4 and political scholar Matthew Wilson analyze the campaign.
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The Texas House will vote on a new Speaker in January.
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David Cook (R-Mansfield) and Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) are competing for the Speaker’s gavel.
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Some Republicans are threatening to primary incumbents who do not back Cook.
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The Texas House will vote on a new Speaker in January.
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David Cook (R-Mansfield) and Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) are competing for the Speaker’s gavel.
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Some Republicans are threatening to primary incumbents who do not back Cook.
The Texas Legislature’s contest to elect a new Speaker of the House is intensifying.
Top Republicans are once again threatening primary incumbents who do not vote for Mansfield Republican David Cook in the upcoming floor vote, which is scheduled for approximately one month from now. This follows Republican Dustin Burrows’ announcement earlier this month that the battle for Speaker is “over.”
To become the Speaker of the Texas House, one must receive 76 votes.
Burrows asserted that he had enough Democratic and Republican backing to win the Speaker’s gavel, but shortly after, several of them took their names off his list of supporters.
Cook was elected Speaker by the House Republican Caucus, but not all members were present when the vote was held.
Both candidates have received 76 public endorsements before next month’s floor vote.
READ MORE: Inside the Texas Speaker of the House contest
Matthew Wilson, a political scientist from SMU, discussed the race with Steven Dial of FOX 4.
Matthew Wilson: “It’s a fascinating strategic political situation, and it reflects the ongoing battle among Texas Republicans over House leadership that has been going on for more than ten years, between a conservative faction and a more establishment moderate faction.
The key question, in my opinion, is how many more moderate establishment Republicans are prepared to support the Democrats in the election of a Speaker. If they do, they will be vulnerable to primary challenges, which have been successful in the recent past. Many Republicans who voted against school choice, against Ken Paxton’s impeachment, or both lost seats in the most recent round.
Steven Dial: “This is a long way off—two years? Will voters simply forget about this?
Matthew Wilson: “Activists are the ones who finance the main challenges, and activists will remember.” Since activists cast a disproportionate number of votes in primaries, they have long-standing memories, and I believe that people should at least consider this.”
Steven Dial: “Will the person who takes over as Speaker set the precedent for the kind of legislation that might make it to Governor Abbott’s desk? Will Dan Patrick get more of what he wants and we’ll see even more red meat arrive at Governor Abbott’s desk if it’s Cook, or if it’s Burrows, will we have Phelan 2.0?
Matthew Wilson: “The question, in my opinion, is whether the House will function relatively similarly to the Senate and whether it will have a distinctly conservative bent, as we have seen in the Texas Senate. If Cook wins, I anticipate that the Democratic Party’s chairmanships in the House will likely come to an end and that conservative legislation will have an easier time getting to the governor’s desk. In my opinion, if Burrows wins, the House will once more act as a check on or a barrier to the actions that the Senate wants taken.
Steven Dial: “Dennis Trump Jr. recently sent a tweet endorsing David Cook. Do you believe the Republicans opposed to Cook will continue to stand their position, or will outside voices exert pressure on them?
As we’ve already seen, some individuals who were initially in favor of Burrows are now saying, ‘Well, let’s wait a second.’ I believe that external pressure does play a part in this. I don’t know. I wish to remain open-minded. I don’t want his speakership to be cemented with my name. Therefore, I believe that people are reassessing because 2024 has arrived. The state legislature’s recent primaries demonstrated that things have changed. It demonstrated that Republican leaders and forces will target Republican incumbents who are thought to be too conservative, and they can be successful in doing so. That’s what the 2024 cycle shown, so I believe that people will be much more hesitant than in the past about volunteering for the Democrats across party lines.”
Texas: The Issue Is is available on TV every Sunday night and at any time on FOX LOCAL.
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Matthew Wilson, a political scientist at SMU, was interviewed for this piece.
Matthew Wilson, a political scientist at SMU, was interviewed for this piece.
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