Attorney General Ken Paxton is hitting the road, holding a series of events in the coming days to place a spotlight on the ongoing battle to retain Republican control of the speaker of the House.
Last month State Rep. David Cook (R–Mansfield) won the Republican nomination for speaker. That hasn’t stopped State Rep. Dustin Burrows (R–Lubbock) and a minority of Republican members from attempting to create a coalition with Democrats in order to win the gavel when the legislature meets later this month.
Paxton, along with Republican Party of Texas Chairman Abraham George, is visiting the districts of members he says are undermining the Republican Party by cutting deals with Democrats.
“This tour is about accountability,” said Paxton. “Governor Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, and the voters of Texas spoke this past year. They expect a Republican-led majority to elect a Speaker by a majority of Republican state representatives. Incumbents who made similar ill-fated decisions two years ago, including wrongfully attempting to impeach me, are not returning this legislative session. Take this as a warning. If you’re making deals with Democrats to block a Republican majority-elected speaker, expect a primary challenge. Texans deserve leadership that reflects their values. There is still time for these incumbents to make the right decision.”
The following stops are scheduled for the tour:
January 6th
• 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Location: Tarrant County Republican Party (201 N Rupert St Suite 117, Fort Worth,TX 76107)
Representatives: HD 89 Charlie Geren, HD 97 John McQueeney, and HD 98 Giovanni Capriglione
• 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: Holiday Inn Tyler (5701 S Broadway Ave, Tyler, TX 75703)
Representatives: HD 5 Cole Hefner, HD 7 Jay Dean, and HD 8 Cody Harris
January 7th
• 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: The Kecseg Training Room (1501 Leander Dr, Bldg B, Leander, TX 78641)
Representative: HD 20 Terry Wilson
• 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Woodlands Bible Church (995 Pinyon Pine Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77381)
Representative: HD 16 Will Metcalf
