A candidate for Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas has called on Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen to resign following revelations he tried to entice Empower Texans CEO Michael Quinn Sullivan into targeting Republican lawmakers in primary elections in exchange for press credentials.
When asked about the controversy on the Chris Salcedo Show this morning, former Congressman and military veteran Allen West said he believed Bonnen should resign from his position.
“I’m not an opportunist and I don’t want anyone to see me that way, but one of the things about being in the military is leadership is about honor, integrity, and character,” said West. “If we’re going to move forward with the Republican Party of Texas, I’ve got to tell you that I can’t work with someone who has a lack of honor, integrity, and character.”
“I would suggest the Speaker of the House, Dennis Bonnen, right now step down from speaker and resign from his State House seat, because we’re not going to be able to go forward as long as he stays in that position,” he concluded.
West’s call for Bonnen to resign joins those of Republican State Reps. Jonathan Stickland (R-Bedford), Phil Stephenson (R–Wharton), and Kyle Biedermann (R–Fredericksburg).
West’s opponent, incumbent GOP chairman James Dickey, has acknowledged the situation but said decisions on how to respond would be up to party members.
On Monday morning, the Texas House General Investigating Committee charged the Texas Rangers to begin investigating the backroom offer.
