Dennis Bonnen, the former speaker of the Texas House, only served one term in the position before being ousted in a public abuse of office scandal.
Now Gov. Greg Abbott and current House Speaker Dade Phelan are set to headline an event honoring the disgraced former leader.
On Thursday, April 28, the Brazosport Area Chamber of Commerce is holding a luncheon honoring Bonnen and “celebrating his 24 years of service to Brazoria County in the Texas House of Representatives.”
While Bonnen had served as a member of the Texas House since he was 24, he only served one term as speaker in 2019. Shortly after the legislative session ended, Bonnen was caught on a recording using his position as an elected official to offer press access in exchange for targeted political spending against some of the House’s own members.
Less than a year after first taking the gavel, Bonnen eventually announced he would not run for re-election.
A number of state lawmakers from the House and Senate are also slated to attend the event, which costs $50 per person.
