(Texas Scorecard) – A smattering of Austin lobbyists alongside a handful of Republican state representatives attended a fundraiser for embattled House Speaker Dade Phelan at an Austin hotel on Monday.
Texas Scorecard was onsite where approximately 40 attendees showed up.
A handful of Phelan committee chairmen, including State Reps. Drew Darby (R-San Angelo), Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi), Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa), and Morgan Meyer (R-Dallas) were spotted.
In addition, disgraced former speaker Joe Straus and former State Rep. Larry Gonzales attended the event. Alleged “pro-life” lobbyist Joe Pojman was also there.
Phelan is being challenged for the speakership by State Rep. David Cook (R-Mansfield), who has gathered a coalition of reform-minded Republican lawmakers that currently numbers at least 47.
If he receives universal support from Democrats, Phelan needs 14 Republican votes to retain the speaker’s gavel. Besides the four representatives that showed up tonight, he would need an additional 10.
The Texas House Republican caucus will meet to determine a speaker candidate on Saturday.