Three former Republican Texas House speakers have joined a transition team assembled by state Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D-District 141), who is seeking the speaker’s gavel after Democrats won control of the chamber in the November 3 elections. The move crosses party lines as lawmakers prepare for a change in House leadership.
Thompson announced Tuesday that Joe Straus, Dennis Bonnen and Dade Phelan would join former Democratic Speakers Ben Barnes, Gib Lewis and Pete Laney. The six will advise her before the 90th Texas Legislature convenes January 12, 2027. The House must formally elect its speaker when the session begins.
“These former Speakers know the House does its best work when Members treat each other with respect, put their districts first and take care of the people’s business,” Thompson said.
“I’m grateful that they’re willing to help the House get off to a good start.”
Thank you to six former Speakers for agreeing to serve as my transition team as I prepare to become Speaker of the Texas House. They are all friends who understand how the House works best for the people we serve. pic.twitter.com/HM827rTXi4
— Senfronia Thompson (@Senfronia4Texas) November 10, 2026
Republican Support Crosses Policy Lines
Thompson listed 90 supporters of her speaker bid November 6, including eight Republican lawmakers, as previously covered by The Dallas Express. All eight voted for Gov. Greg Abbott’s 2025 school choice bill, while Thompson opposed it, according to the House journal. In 2023, she also voted to remove education savings accounts from a broader education bill, according to the legislative record.
Thompson has represented Harris County since 1973. If lawmakers elect her, she will become the first woman and first Black speaker in Texas history.
Former Republican speakers offered support for her leadership in statements included in her office’s announcement.
“I am honored to help my friend Ms. Thompson as she prepares to provide the trusted leadership that the Texas House needs. She is committed to bringing the House together to focus on serious challenges, and I know Ms. Thompson and the House will succeed. I’m happy to support someone who has been so helpful to all her colleagues through the years,” Straus said in the November 10 release.
Phelan, who served as speaker from 2021 to 2025, also endorsed the approach.
“The Texas House works best when its Members put people before party: when we come together, work together, and govern in a bipartisan way for the good of all Texans,” Phelan said.
A Republican Lawmaker Objects
Not every Republican welcomed the arrangement. State Rep. David Lowe (R-District 91) criticized Republicans who back a Democratic speaker, citing policy divisions on abortion, sex-alteration procedures for children and firearms restrictions.
“No real Republican would support a Democrat Speaker who embraces killing babies inside the womb, gender transitioning children or seizing our guns. Real Republicans, win or lose, will stand up for what they believe in, and not cave to political pressure for short term gain,” state Rep. David Lowe (R-District 91) told The Dallas Express.
Thompson has pledged to restore bipartisan committee chairmanships, reversing a practice the Republican-controlled House discontinued under Speaker Dustin Burrows, according to her November 6 public remarks, reported The Texas Tribune. The speaker controls committee appointments and influences which proposals advance, making the new leadership consequential for school choice and other contested priorities.
