Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) warned Tuesday that Republican incumbents in the state Legislature face major challenges as the race for the Texas House speaker's seat continues.
“Texans expect a Republican-led majority to elect a Speaker by a majority of Republican state legislators. Please take this as a warning to block a Speaker elected by a Republican majority. “If he has a deal with the Democratic Party, we can expect a challenge in the primary,” Paxton said. stated in a statement Posted on social platform X.
The state's top prosecutor is scheduled to begin a statewide tour next week, visiting “each state representative district with an incumbent representative who continues to obstruct the Republican-elected speaker.”
Republican state Rep. David Cook and Rep. Dustin Burrows, a powerful ally of outgoing House Speaker Dade Phelan, are vying for the gavel. Mr. Cook is state house republican candidatebut Burroughs He claimed he had the support to win..
“Texans deserve leadership that reflects their values. There is still time for these incumbents to make the right decisions,” Paxton warned on Tuesday, but in his post, Cook's He did not mention his name. Burrows reportedly secured some support From a Democratic Party member.
Ferran I overcame the initial difficulties of being bruised and bruised. earlier this year, but withdrew its bid to retain the gavel earlier this month.
When the Texas House votes on a new leader, a candidate for Speaker will need 76 of the House's 150 votes to win. mid january. Republicans hold 88 of these seats, and if Republicans split the vote, Democrats could take control.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott (Republican) also suggested In a recent social media post, he endorsed Cook, saying, “We need a Speaker of the Texas House elected by a majority of Republicans according to the rules of the Republican caucus.”
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) agreed, writing: earlier this month “A Republican speaker candidate attempting a coup d'état to steal the speaker's gavel with only a majority of Democrats and a minority of Republicans will never be well-received by Republican voters.”
Donald Trump Jr. also supports Cook.
The Texas Republican Party has been plagued by internal turmoil and power struggles in recent years. And state officials, including Mr. Paxton, who faced an impeachment trial last year, worked to purge the Texas House of Representatives of Republicans who opposed them.
The battle of speakers has become the latest flashpoint in the world. years of friction The conflict is between the state's Republican Party, which Mr. Phelan represents, and the powerful far-right faction led by Mr. Paxton and others.
