After a day of political drama at the Capitol, state Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) announced he had secured enough bipartisan support to claim the speakership of the Texas House for the upcoming legislative session.
“I have secured enough of the votes of enough of my colleagues — it is bipartisan — 76-plus names in writing so you can see them yourself,” Burrows said in a brief statement, joined by about 20 Republican colleagues. “I love this institution, I love the House, and it has given me many opportunities and chances to do great things.”
The announcement followed hours of gridlock within the Republican caucus, which ultimately endorsed state Rep. David Cook (R-Mansfield) after contentious voting. Despite Cook’s endorsement, Burrows revealed a bipartisan coalition of 76 members — 38 Republicans and 38 Democrats — backing his bid for the gavel. The list was released shortly after his press conference.
A Tumultuous GOP Caucus Meeting
Earlier in the day, the Republican caucus met to select its official endorsement for speaker. All 88 Republican members and members-elect participated, with no proxies allowed. The rules required a two-thirds majority, or 59 votes, to secure the endorsement on the first two ballots.
In the first round, Cook garnered 48 votes to Burrows’ 40. The second round saw one Cook supporter shift to Burrows, leaving the tally at 47-41. Pro-Burrows members requested a 10-minute break, but when denied, they staged a walkout, prompting an hour-long standoff.
The caucus eventually resumed with only 62 members present. Cook won the endorsement in the third round with 48 votes, while Burrows received 14. The group present vowed unanimous support for Cook as the endorsed candidate.
Cook remained confident following his caucus victory. “This race is not over,” he told reporters. “We will continue to work with every member of the Republican caucus and I look forward to having conversations with the Democrats.”
Democrats and Bipartisan Dynamics
Meanwhile, Texas House Democrats played a pivotal role in shifting momentum toward Burrows. Earlier in the day, they issued a statement releasing members to support any speaker candidate except Cook, emphasizing a desire for bipartisan governance.
“Because of our unity, Democrats will help govern in a bipartisan Texas House that recognizes traditional institutional norms,” the Democratic caucus stated.
By Saturday evening, Burrows had secured the backing of enough Democrats to reach the critical 76-member majority required to win the speakership in January.
Republican Leadership Challenges
The GOP leadership faced fractures throughout the day. The Texas Republican Party’s State Republican Executive Committee passed a resolution to censure any member who did not vote for Cook on the House floor. This move underscored the high stakes and deep divisions within the party.
Adding to the complexity, at least five members appeared on both Burrows’ and Cook’s lists of supporters, and some lawmakers contested their inclusion on Burrows’ list after it was published.
Looking Ahead
With the official vote scheduled for January 14, the race is far from settled. The 38 days leading up to the legislative session leave ample time for further developments and potential shifts in allegiance.
.jpg)
