As part of Tuesday’s blue wave, Democrats took control of the Texas House. Even though the Texas Senate will be helmed by Democrat Vicki Goodwin, the chamber itself remains in GOP control.
The Republican losses in the House exceed 20 seats, but final results are still pending.
When the House convenes in January, the members first action will be to select a new speaker. The last Democrat to serve as Speaker of the Texas House was Pete Laney of Hale Center.
In the Senate, though, much of the lieutenant governor’s power is defined inside the rules of the chamber.
State Sen. Charles Schwertner (R–Georgetown) took a defiant tone last night:
