A third entrant has placed their hat in the ring to be the next Speaker of the House, challenging incumbent Dade Phelan.
State Rep. David Cook of Mansfield made the announcement Tuesday evening, saying, “It’s time to ensure that leadership better reflects the will of the majority party.”
After a draining year of legislative sessions followed by a tumultuous primary season, the question before us is no longer how we got here, but how we move forward. The current state of the Republican caucus is of grave concern. Internal strife threatens to weaken our leadership and distract us from the work we were elected to do.
“Rebuilding trust, maintaining integrity, and finding unity within our caucus is vital if we are to effectively govern as the majority party,” Cook wrote in a letter to his Republican House colleagues.
“Change at the top is needed to better align with the priorities of our Members and the people of Texas. Now is the time to set aside the battles that have divided us and focus on what we can achieve together.”
To that end, Cook said it was time to “shift to a Republican chair model.”
“However, Democratic members will still have the opportunity to work their bills and see them considered fairly, as preserving the rights of the minority party remains part of facilitating the orderly transaction of business in the Texas House,” he added.
Ending the practice of placing Democrats in leadership positions has been a driving factor in the campaigns against current Speaker Dade Phelan, who has repeatedly defended the practice. State Reps. Tom Oliverson and Shelby Slawson, who have each announced their own campaigns for Speaker, have also committed to ending Democrat chairs.
“Today, I am declaring my candidacy to serve as your next Speaker of the Texas House. As Speaker, I will be committed to being actively engaged and present in the daily workings of our Chamber. Leadership means not only setting the direction, but also being in the arena alongside each of you. My philosophy is rooted in returning power to the Members and fostering an environment where we can work together effectively,” wrote Cook.
Incoming Republican members will select a candidate for speaker in caucus later this year. The official vote for Speaker will take place on the first day of the legislative session, January 14, 2025.
