The Dallas County Republican Party is reportedly threatening to censure Reps. Angie Button and Morgan Meyer if they vote against Rep. David Cook (R-Mansfield) for the Texas Speaker of the House.
Dallas County Republican Party Chair Allen West sent a letter to Button and Meyer to call for a united front on the decision regarding the House Speaker, writing that Dallas County Precinct Chairs are prepared to “Proceed with a vote of your censure with all applicable penalties imposed,” according to Fox 4 KDFW.
This letter further stated that the Dallas County GOP would “Immediately campaign against you” and “Actively seek your replacements” if Button and Meyer vote against Cook, per Fox 4.
Although Button and Meyer have yet to respond to these threats, other members of the Texas legislature have taken action against those who have allegedly made similar threats.
Rep. Cody Harris (R-Palestine) filed a complaint with the Texas Ethics Commission on Wednesday, alleging that Republican Party of Texas Chair Abraham George committed ethics violations in his threats.
This complaint alleges George threatened to censure or send mailers against Harris, writing that mailers would lead to an “economic benefit” for anyone who competed against him in future primaries, per The Texas Tribune.
Harris pointed to the new Rule 44, which prohibits censured Republican candidates from appearing on a ballot for at least two years, writing in the complaint that George’s threats “amount to a violation,” as reported by The Texas Tribune.
These contentious moments within the Texas legislature come as Republicans debate who to vote for as the new Texas Speaker of the House, with a minority of Republicans backing the Speaker bid of Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock), who would need the support of Democrats to secure the gavel.
Cook secured the nomination from the GOP caucus with 48 votes, while Burrows collected just 14 of the available votes, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Burrows then responded by releasing a list of 76 lawmakers from both parties who he alleged would support his Speaker campaign. This list would give him a majority of the 150 available members who would vote on the role, as reported by DX.
Republicans will have just days before an official decision must be made, with the House reconvening Tuesday to officially cast votes for the House Speaker, per Fox 4.