Rep. David Cook (R-Mansfield) continues to garner support in his bid to become the next Texas Speaker of the House, challenging current speaker Rep. Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont).
In his September 3 announcement to run, Cook stated, “Rebuilding trust, maintaining integrity, and finding unity within our caucus is vital if we are to effectively govern as the majority party. Change at the top is needed to better align with the priorities of our Members and the people of Texas. Now is the time to set aside the battles that have divided us and focus on what we can achieve together.”
It appears a majority of newly elected Republican Texas House members agree with Cook, announcing their support for him as their choice for Speaker of the Texas House, reported Texas Scorecard.
This announcement was made on September 20 after a confidential gathering involving reform-minded members and members-elect of the House GOP caucus. Phelan was not present, but according to the Texas Scorecard, around half of the 86 Republicans were.
Phelan appears not to be phased, as on September 20, he responded to the vote against him on X, stating they are a “very small handful of self-anointed instigators [who] put on this gathering, refusing to invite the majority of the current Republican caucus … Not only are their actions disappointing and unacceptable, they are futile, as I proudly have the clear majority votes needed to be the Speaker today, and will have the clear majority support needed to become Speaker again come January.”
And yet, the size of the group opposing Phelan is growing as State Rep. Matt Shaheen (R-Plano) has united around the top contender against Phelan before the Republican Caucus vote in December.
Phelan is reportedly scheduled to hold a fundraiser on October 11. In the invitation, Shaheen and a handful of other lawmakers are listed as joining him. However, it appears Shaheen has changed his position.
Shaheen released a press statement on September 27: “Today I am announcing my support for Representative David Cook to be the next Speak of the Texas House of Representatives. The process of selecting a Speaker of the House should always be done with a high standard of due diligence and should never be taken lightly.”
Shaheen has served as a member of the Texas House of Representatives in District 66 for nine years, commencing office in 2015, as previously reported by DX.
Phelan has lost the support of numerous Republicans due, in part, to his decision to appoint Democrats as chairs of committees, which many Republicans view as a betrayal of the Party. Phelan has consistently stood by this practice despite most Republicans having committed to backing a speaker who refrains from appointing Democrats to leadership positions.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick recently referred to Phelan as a “RINORAD,” which stands for “Republican In Name Only, Really A Democrat.”
“I understand the DWD (Done with Dade) group is growing within the House. His only path to remain Speaker is for all or a large majority of Democrats to vote for him. Let’s not forget that he won his recent primary runoff by about 300 votes because Democrats crossed over in big numbers and took the Republican primary from the voters of East Texas. Dade Phelan is the ultimate #RINORAD,” Patrick said, per the Texas Scorecard.
Unlike Phelan, Cook is committed to ending the practice of assigning committee chairmanships to Democrats.
The Republican Caucus is scheduled to nominate a candidate for Speaker in December. The official vote is set for January 14, 2025, the first day of the legislative session.