State Representative-elect John McQueeney  is being called out for an apparent cardinal political sin: Doing the opposite of what he promised to do.

McQueeney’s alleged double talk came to light amid his backing of State Rep. Dustin Burrows, Lubbock Republican, for Speaker. Burrows is hoping to build a coalition with Democrats to propel him past the GOP-approved pick for Speaker, Rep. David Cook.

McQueeney, Fort Worth Republican, insisted during the House District 97 primary that he would not support the practice of allowing Democrats to chair various legislative committees —which Burrows is proposing to do in order to win their support in the Speaker race.

“The voters have made it crystal clear that they want that to happen without Democrat chairmanship previous leadership has provided, awarded Democrat chairmanships in order to keep them at the table,” McQueeney said in a video from a campaign event. Current Speaker Dade Phelan, who dropped out of a Speaker reelection race, allowed Democratic chairs in exchange for their support.

“I will not support Democrat chairs,” McQueeney said.

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But with McQueeney now backing Burrows, and the prospect of Democratic chairs very much a possibility, many constituents and pundits are cashing their receipts.

“TX Rep John McQueeny reverses his position on Democrat Chairs in the TX House yesterday when McQ walked out with Rep Dustin Burrows to go negotiate with Dems against Rep Caucus rules for Speakership and then signed Rep Burrows letter of support. Shown here is McQueeney definitely stating he is against Dem Chairs during runoff debate in April 2024,” Fort Worth Businesswoman Cheryl Bean wrote on X.

Party influencers say gains at the ballot box will be worthless if the GOP uses the majority to install Democratic committee chairs.

“If the RINOs cut this deal, they will give liberal Democrats committee chairmanships. They will also give them power to kill conservative legislation supported by the Republican Party of Texas,” Texans United for a Conservative Majority website said.

McQueeneys support for Burrows has been met with disappointment by local leaders.

“This is the current state of the race. I am saddened to see @charliegeren, @JohnMcQueeneyTX, and @VoteGiovanni are on the list with the Democrat-backed Speaker instead of the GOP Caucus pick. Is this wrong? Have they changed sides?” Tarrant County GOP Chair Bo French wrote on X.

The Dallas Express reached out to McQueeney for comment but did not receive a response.