State Representative David Spiller has announced his endorsement for State Representative David Cook for Speaker of the Texas House.
“I endorse and will be voting for Representative David Cook for Speaker when the Texas House Republican Caucus meets this week to select our nominee. David Cook possesses the leadership skills, integrity, knowledge, discernment and fairness necessary to be Speaker of the Texas House,” Spiller said in a statement.
“David Cook understands how important it is to appoint conservative Republicans as committee chairs in the Texas House. While some say appointing Democrats as committee chairs is necessary in order to work with Democrats, I disagree,” Spiller added.
“I am both humbled and thankful for your support, confidence, kind words, and most of all your willingness to stand up and publicly communicate your beliefs and your intentions,” Cook wrote on X in response to Spiller’s endorsement.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Cook got the support of the majority of incoming Republican Texas House members, who coalesced around a single challenger incumbent Speaker Dade Phelan.
According to a news release, the Republican Party of Texas State Executive Committee censured Phelan earlier this year by a 55-4 vote because he allegedly demonstrated a “lack of fidelity to Republican principles and priorities. ”
Phelan was censured for his support of Democratic committee chairs and the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Local leaders have also shown support for Cook.
“Dade Phelan has betrayed fellow Republicans repeatedly by ‘selling out’ to Democrats to get elected as speaker of the Texas House. Once elected, he paid back his Democrat friends by installing Democrat Chairs, promoting Democrat legislation, and & blocking Republican priorities. Texas elected a Republican majority to the House and deserve a real Republican as Speaker in 2025!” Fort Worth businesswoman Cheryl Bean told The Dallas Express.
“The reform movement is growing in the Texas House of Representatives. Even entrenched incumbents are admitting the system is designed to work against the people it was created to serve. I am happy to see the cesspool of Rep. Phelan supporters is shrinking,” said State Representative-elect David Lowe, a North Richland Hills Republican.
Spiller’s announcement has also been met with support from State Representatives.
“What a great addition to the Reform team! I look forward to working with David and all other Republican House members in the upcoming session!” State Representative Tony Tinderholt wrote on X.
The Dallas Express reached out to Speaker Dade Phelan’s office for comment, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.