State Representative Jared Patterson is getting backlash from Texas conservative leaders for backing Speaker Dade Phelan and supporting Democratic committee chairs.
“I think Speaker Phelan is going to be the speaker next session and I am fully supportive of that,” Patterson told CBS.
Phelan, Beaumont Republican, is locked in a tight race for the Speakership with Rep. David Cook, Mansfield Republican. Phelan’s path to reelection would likely need support from Democrats to stave off Cook’s charge.
Patterson defended Phelan’s leadership, arguing that the last several sessions have been the most conservative in recent legislative memory.
“We have passed legacy conservative reforms that Republicans can only dream of about six years ago. We passed a ban of elective abortions in Texas, saving 50,000 babies in Texas every single month,” Patterson said.
When asked about his support for having Democrats serve as committee chairs, Patterson dismissed the issue that conservative grassroot organizations have raised.
“I understand why we have democrat chairs and it is because in the Texas House, we work very well together,” Patterson told CBS.
Patterson was slammed by grassroot conservative leaders.
“Texans from all walks of life chose Republican policies for our state and nation. Yet some Republicans now want to hand over the Texas House to Democrats. Why run as a Republican if you’re so eager to hand them control? Call your Texas House reps and ask why they’d empower small group of Democrats after we just resoundingly defeated them,” Texas GOP Chair Abraham George posted on X.
“Jared, if you have time this week or next, I’d like to debate you on these issues—both the speaker’s race and Democrat chairs. Venue of your choosing,” State Representative-elect Mitch Little posted on X.
“If you want to understand how little the status quo wants to change things just take 5 minutes to listen to Jared Patterson,” Luke Macias wrote on X.