Texas State Representative Dustin Burrows has officially thrown his hat into the ring for Speaker of the Texas House, following the announcement that incumbent Speaker Dade Phelan will not seek re-election for another term. Burrows, a Republican from Lubbock, filed for the speakership just after Phelan’s decision to step down was made public.
A spokesperson for Burrows confirmed that the representative is dedicating his Friday to building support among the 150 members of the Texas House, a critical step in securing the speakership as the legislative session approaches.
Phelan, who has served as Speaker since 2021, is stepping aside after facing growing pressure from within his own party. His leadership had been under intense scrutiny, particularly after his handling of key issues during his tenure. The most significant point of contention was his decision to allow the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton to move forward in the Texas House. The impeachment vote, which passed overwhelmingly, angered many conservative Republicans who saw the move as a betrayal. Further criticism mounted after Phelan struggled to advance some of the party’s top priorities, including a divisive school voucher proposal, which failed to pass the House despite strong backing from GOP leaders.
In a statement released on Friday morning, Phelan reflected on his time as Speaker and expressed his belief that his decision to step aside would allow the House to move forward with fresh leadership. "Serving in the Texas House is one of the greatest honors of my life," Phelan said. "Out of deep respect for this institution and its members… I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the race for Speaker of the Texas House. 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."
Phelan, now in his fourth term as a state representative, narrowly fended off a primary challenge earlier this year and will remain in the Legislature when the next session begins on January 14.
Burrows, a longtime ally of Phelan, has become one of the early frontrunners to replace him as Speaker. His entry into the race adds a new layer of competition to what is shaping up to be a crowded field. Reports indicate that Burrows is among at least nine other declared candidates for the Speaker’s position, with House Republicans set to meet in a private caucus on Saturday to work toward selecting a single candidate.
With Republicans holding an 88-62 majority in the Texas House, consolidating support around one candidate is crucial to ensuring GOP control over the outcome. If a candidate secures at least 60% of the caucus vote in Saturday’s meeting, they will earn the endorsement of all 88 Republican members. This would effectively shut out the influence of the 62 Democrats in the chamber, ensuring that the GOP’s chosen candidate will have a commanding position when the full House votes on the Speaker’s race in January.
Burrows' candidacy highlights the shifting dynamics within the Republican Party, as conservatives within the House grapple with internal divisions and try to chart a path forward in the face of pressing legislative challenges. Burrows, who has represented Lubbock since 2015, will likely leverage his longstanding relationships and influence in the House as he seeks to unify his party behind his bid for Speaker.
As the race progresses, the attention will now turn to how Burrows and the other candidates navigate the difficult task of building a coalition in the days leading up to the January legislative session. The Speaker's race is shaping up to be one of the most important contests in Texas politics this year, with the outcome holding significant implications for the direction of the state’s legislative agenda.
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