Gov. Greg Abbott formally endorsed Speaker Dustin Burrows for re-election to House District 83—and for another term leading the Texas House—during a campaign reception in Lubbock this week, a move signaling unity at the top of state leadership even as grassroots skepticism lingers.
“Dustin did a fantastic job as Speaker this session. He is consequential to the future of our state, and that’s why I endorse and support Dustin Burrows for re-election to his House seat and for re-election as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives,” Abbott stated.
“Texas is far better today than we were before Dustin Burrows was Speaker and I know Texas is going to be far better in the future when Lubbock returns Dustin Burrows to the Texas House and he is re-elected again as Speaker of the House for two more years,” he added.
His statement comes after President Donald Trump’s endorsement last month, calling Burrows a “True Warrior for Republicans.”
The endorsement marks a clear departure from Abbott’s approach in 2024, when he declined to back then-Speaker Dade Phelan despite wading into a number of GOP primaries. At the time, Abbott stopped short of intervening to help Phelan—who ultimately narrowly won his runoff after sustained opposition from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and conservative activists. He then declined to run for re-election as speaker.
Burrows’ own rise to power was controversial. In January, he was elected speaker with the backing of Democrats and a minority of Republicans after the House GOP Caucus had already nominated State Rep. David Cook. Abbott himself noted during the fight that “we need a Texas House Speaker chosen by a majority of Republicans in accordance with the Republican Caucus Rules”—a threshold Burrows did not achieve.
Abbott wasn’t alone in showing support this week. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who had openly feuded with Phelan, appeared at the same fundraiser alongside Burrows.
The joint presence of Abbott, Patrick, and Burrows suggests a degree of unity among the “big three” that was lacking in recent years, particularly during Phelan’s tenure.
Still, some grassroots conservatives remain uneasy with Burrows’ path to power, arguing he broke with caucus rules by accepting Democrat support to secure the gavel. Whether Abbott’s and Trump’s endorsements can quiet that discontent remains to be seen.
