State Rep. John Bryant of Dallas has filed for Speaker of the House, becoming the second Democrat lawmaker to challenge incumbent Dade Phelan for the position.
He joins Democrat State Rep. Ana-Maria Ramos, who announced her candidacy in September.
Bryant first served in the Texas House from 1974-1982 before heading to Washington, D.C. to serve six years in the U.S. House of Representatives. He returned to the Texas Capitol in 2023.
With Republicans having grown their majority in the Texas House to 88 seats out of 150, Bryant is unlikely to win the position. Some have speculated his candidacy marks an attempt by Democrats to gain leverage over Speaker Dade Phelan as he is challenged by Republican State Rep. David Cook.
Among the biggest issues driving the speaker race are Phelan’s practice of awarding leadership positions to Democrats as well as a failure to prioritize Republican issues early in the session.
As of publishing, Bryant has not yet commented on his candidacy.
An unofficial headcount among Republicans released yesterday by Texans United for Conservative Majority puts Phelan with 11 votes, Cook with 45, and 32 as uncommitted or unknown.
The official vote for speaker will take place on the first day of the legislative session, January 14, 2025.
