Just weeks ahead of the primary election, members of the State Republican Executive Committee will be voting Saturday on a resolution censuring Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan of Beaumont.
The censure first originated in Phelan’s house district county of Orange. It cites his practice of appointing Democrats to key committee chairmanship positions, killing border security legislation in the regular legislative session, and working against school choice in the regular session.
County Republican parties in Ellis and Liberty also censured Phelan. Meanwhile, the county GOP organizations in Tarrant, Harris, Travis, Smith, Parker, and Dallas passed resolutions supporting the original Orange County GOP resolution.
Many of those resolutions also cited Phelan’s role in the failed impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
The state resolution was originally considered by the SREC’s resolutions committee in December. They provided Phelan notice of the discussion and the opportunity to defend himself.
If the members of the SREC concur with the resolution Saturday, the GOP will be prevented from spending funds in support of Phelan’s re-election effort. The GOP will also be able to spend money against him.
The SREC is comprised of two individuals—a man and a woman—from each of the state’s 31 senatorial districts. Those positions are elected at the biennial Republican Party Convention.
Phelan faces two challengers in the March 5 Republican Primary—Trump-endorsed David Covey and local businesswoman Alicia Davis.
Early voting begins February 20, and Election Day is March 5.
