As the Texas Legislature prepares to convene in less than two weeks, the battle over who will serve as Speaker of the House has created a political maelstrom that could significantly shape the state's legislative priorities in 2025. The race pits Republican Caucus nominee State Rep. David Cook of Mansfield against State Rep. Dustin Burrows of Lubbock, with the outcome still uncertain as factions within the GOP and Democratic Caucus strategize their next moves.
A Divided GOP and Competing Strategies
Cook, who garnered the support of a majority of the 88 House Republicans during the December caucus vote, has yet to secure the 76 votes required for the Speakership. Meanwhile, Burrows, backed by a smaller contingent of Republicans, is appealing to House Democrats in hopes of crossing the threshold with bipartisan support.
This rift within the Republican ranks has opened an opportunity for Democrats to play a decisive role in the outcome. Following the Republican Caucus vote, the House Democratic Caucus issued a statement releasing its members to support any Speaker candidate except Cook.
However, in a letter addressed to outgoing Democratic Caucus Chair State Rep. Trey Martinez-Fischer, Cook claimed he had the backing of some Democratic members. He offered no specific names but expressed his intent to collaborate on shared legislative goals, such as public education funding and teacher pay raises.
Democratic Unity at a Crossroads
Martinez-Fischer has urged his Democratic colleagues to unite behind a candidate who will offer fair and pragmatic leadership.
“If we will unite and have a common cause and get behind a candidate that’s going to be fair, pragmatic, and govern in a way that our constituents expect us to. That’s what we should be doing,” he said.
When questioned about Cook’s claim of Democratic support, Martinez-Fischer expressed skepticism. “It would be a shock to me to know that there are folks willing to support anybody who is not going to give our team an equal shake and fair consideration to be a member of the leadership team,” he remarked.
Democrats’ leverage lies in their bloc of 62 members, enough to potentially swing the vote if they align behind Burrows or abstain en masse to prevent Cook from reaching the magic number of 76 votes.
Cook’s Bid for Bipartisanship
In his letter to Democrats, Cook emphasized his support for education reforms, including raising teacher salaries, revising the STAAR test, and transitioning to an enrollment-based funding model. While such proposals align with Democratic priorities, skepticism remains over Cook’s commitment to following through on these promises, especially given his support for school choice policies that many Democrats oppose.
Martinez-Fischer cautioned against placing too much stock in Cook’s assurances. “Passing the House is just the start. Getting an idea through the Senate and getting an idea on the Governor’s desk and signed into law — there are a lot of if’s there,” he said.
The Republican Push to Unify
Republican leaders, determined to avoid a Democratic influence in the Speakership race, are rallying around Cook. The Texas GOP has launched attack ads against Burrows in his home district, labeling his outreach to Democrats as a betrayal of party unity.
Next week, Texas Republican Party Chair Abraham George and Attorney General Ken Paxton will embark on a four-city rally to drum up support for Cook. The tour will make stops in Fort Worth, Tyler, Leander, and The Woodlands, targeting districts represented by Republicans who have yet to commit to Cook’s Speakership bid.
“We want to make it very clear to our representatives and the people of where we stand as far as the Speaker race,” George said, emphasizing the importance of presenting a unified GOP front.
A Speaker Race Unlike Any Other
Historically, the Speaker race is a ceremonial process, with the majority party rallying unanimously behind its nominee. This year, however, the fractured Republican Caucus has turned the process into a high-stakes contest that may not be resolved until the first day of the session, January 14, when votes are officially cast.
With the potential for Democrats to sway the outcome, Martinez-Fischer summed up the race succinctly: “This is not a game of skill; it’s a game of math.”
