Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan (R) has declined to seek reelection as House Majority Leader.
“Out of deep respect for this institution and its members, after careful consideration and personal consultation with my colleagues, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the race for Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives,” Phelan said in a statement. said in a statement Friday.according to multiple reports.
Mr. Phelan has served as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives since January 2021.
Phelan failed to win a majority of votes in the March primary election. Two months later, he narrowly defeated conservative challenger David Covey, who was backed by President-elect Trump, in a controversial race. Covey was also endorsed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R).
Phelan was heavily criticized by the state's right-wing Republican Party after presiding over Paxton's impeachment trial. Paxton was ultimately acquitted by the state Senate.
The Texas Republican Party censured Phelan in February after he voted to impeach Paxton.
Phelan, a Beaumont Republican, said he would continue his term in the Texas House of Representatives.
“I will work with my colleagues to nominate the candidate who can best unite the House and ensure that our beloved chamber remains a beacon of integrity and conservative leadership in the 89th Congress,” he said in a statement. And I'm looking forward to it.”
Republicans are scheduled to hold a meeting on Saturday to choose Phelan's successor.
Following Phelan's announcement, Texas House Democrats emphasized unity and said they are the only caucus addressing the issues facing Texans.
“Nothing has changed for Texas House Democrats heading into January and the next Congress,” they wrote. In a statement Friday. “We have 40 days until we reconvene in Austin, but we are united in addressing the real issues affecting Texans: struggling public schools, unregulated pricing after disasters, and loss of bodily autonomy. Only one caucus is focused on the.
