Gov. Greg Abbott has made it explicitly clear that the next House speaker should be chosen by Republicans.
State Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) has been seeking support from Democrats and a small faction of Republicans to secure the gavel in January after losing the House Republican caucus nomination on Saturday to State Rep. David Cook (R–Mansfield).
Notably, of the Republicans who opposed Abbott’s school choice push in the 2023 regular and special sessions, all are currently backing Burrows instead of their caucus nominee.
Now, after repudiating a text message sent out earlier today implying his support for Burrows, Abbott has said, “Let me be clear: I worked this entire year to elect conservative candidates who will pass conservative laws, including school choice.”
Indeed, more than a dozen GOP opponents of school choice lost their primary elections, with many of their challengers receiving public support from Abbott.
“To achieve that goal we need a Texas House Speaker chosen by a majority of Republicans in accordance with the Republican Caucus Rules,” wrote Abbott on X.
Let me be clear:
I worked this entire year to elect conservative candidates who will pass conservative laws, including school choice.
To achieve that goal we need a Texas House Speaker chosen by a majority of Republicans in accordance with the Republican Caucus Rules.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) December 11, 2024
Cook has pledged to support all party platform priorities, including school choice.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick threw his support behind Abbott shortly after, stating, “I join Governor Abbott in affirming that a majority of Republican House members must choose the Speaker.”
“Any Republican Speaker candidate who attempts a coup d’état to steal the Speaker’s gavel with a majority of Democrats and only a handful of Republicans will never be accepted by Republican voters,” added Patrick.
“Republican voters do not want the Republican Party to cede power to Democrat chairmen, which has been happening for over a decade. The Governor, and the Republican voters, have spoken. Most importantly, the Republican caucus has spoken. It’s time for 76 House Republicans to come together today to support the [Texas GOP Caucus] nominee. Texas is watching. The nation is watching.”
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