Amarillo businessman Alex Fairly has unveiled a new political initiative aimed at reshaping the 2026 Republican primary and general elections in Texas. Fairly announced the formation of the Texas Republican Leadership Fund (TRLF) on Tuesday, filing with the Texas Ethics Commission and emphasizing the need for a united Republican front in the state legislature.
In a statement accompanying the launch, Fairly pointed to Governor Greg Abbott’s recent call for the next Texas House Speaker to be chosen in accordance with Republican caucus rules. “Texans need our Republican representatives to unite together to elect a Speaker by Republican majority,” he stated. “Every Republican House member should be strongly opposed to a minority band of Republicans teaming up with Democrats to cut a joint governing agreement.”
The Texas House has been embroiled in a contentious battle over the speakership. Two factions have emerged: one backing the GOP caucus-endorsed candidate, State Representative David Cook (R-Mansfield), and another supporting House leadership-aligned Chairman Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock). The rift deepened on December 7 when Burrows and his allies walked out of the Republican caucus vote, denouncing the process as “rigged” and illegitimate.
Fairly’s daughter, Caroline Fairly, is also poised to play a role in this political drama as she joins the legislature next year. Caroline Fairly won her race for the Panhandle’s House District 87 and aligns with the “reform group” pushing for a unified GOP speakership.
A Conservative Push for Reform
The TRLF aims to bolster conservative priorities and ensure the Republican Party maintains cohesion. According to Fairly, the initiative seeks to address internal discord that risks compromising the party’s agenda, including critical issues such as school choice.
“In spite of the progress made in this past election cycle toward this and other conservative priorities, there may still be work to do in the next primary cycle,” Fairly said. “These funds will be available to help expand a true Republican majority.”
While stressing that the fund’s primary focus is on promoting unity within the party, Fairly also acknowledged its potential role in influencing the general election. “My strong hope is that we can focus them on expanding victories in the next general election,” he added.
Fairly also emphasized the need to keep the spotlight on Republican unity rather than on his personal role in the effort. “I hope the messaging doesn’t end up being about me. The focus needs to be about how important it is for Texas Republicans to get this Speaker-selection process right so we end up with an unencumbered Speaker,” Fairly said.
A Rising Conservative Donor
Fairly’s involvement in Texas politics is relatively recent but impactful. His political debut came with a lawsuit against the City of Amarillo over the use of tax anticipation notes to fund a civic center project that voters had previously rejected.
From there, Fairly became a significant donor in state politics. In 2022, he contributed $50,000 to now-Senator Kevin Sparks (R-Midland). This year, he ramped up his support for conservative candidates, notably contributing $700,000 to David Covey, a challenger to Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont).
Fairly’s financial backing proved instrumental in the success of several GOP challengers. Four candidates he supported directly won their races, while additional victories came from groups indirectly funded by Fairly, such as the now-defunct Defend Texas Liberty PAC.
The Fight for the Speakership
The battle over the Texas House speakership has brought Republican divisions into sharp focus. On December 7, Burrows and his supporters staged a walkout during the caucus vote that endorsed David Cook as the GOP’s choice for Speaker. Fairly expressed optimism that lawmakers who initially opposed the caucus process might reconsider their stance.
“Making principled decisions shouldn’t be difficult,” Fairly said, referencing the December 7 fallout. “We’ve already seen several lawmakers return to the caucus. Hopefully, others will have the courage to follow suit and we can focus this fund on general election campaigns versus primaries.”
Although Fairly has denied direct involvement, a text message circulated among GOP members after a September meeting of the “reform group” promised “the largest fund ever amassed in Texas politics” to back their efforts to change House operations.
In his announcement, Fairly reiterated his support for Cook as Speaker and highlighted school choice as a top conservative priority for the next legislative session. He also stated that the Texas Republican Leadership Fund would not accept outside donations, ensuring its independence and focus.
Looking Ahead to 2026
With the creation of the TRLF, Fairly is signaling a long-term commitment to shaping Texas politics. As the Republican Party grapples with internal divisions, Fairly’s fund aims to strengthen conservative influence and solidify GOP control in the legislature.
“Hopefully, this initiative will bring Republicans together to focus on the issues that matter most to Texans,” Fairly said. “The stakes are too high for division.”
