DALLAS — Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan’s unexpected announcement created political waves across Texas on Friday. Speaker Phelan said he is withdrawing from the speaker’s race.
“Out of deep respect for this institution and its members, and after careful consideration and private consultation with colleagues, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the race for Speaker of the Texas House,” said Speaker Phelan.
While the announcement was unexpected, it wasn’t entirely surprising. Phelan, already weakened politically by his fellow Republicans, failed to gain enough support from his own party to secure re-election as Speaker.
Some Republicans celebrated the announcement. State Rep. Brian Harrison, a Republican from Midlothian, was among those who criticized Phelan after he led the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton last year. Phelan also continued the tradition of appointing Democrats to chair some committees.
“Well, it’s a big, it’s a big victory and one that I’m proud to have helped lead the charge. I mean, I was the very first member of the entire Texas legislature who had the courage almost two years ago, or a year and a half ago, to publicly call for Dade Phelan to step down as Speaker of the Texas House after he presided over what I believe is objectively the most liberal session in the history of the Texas House. So, it’s a, it’s a huge victory,” Rep. Harrison said.
Harrison said that while Phelan’s withdrawal from the race was necessary, it may not be enough. He argued that the chamber needs complete reform to reflect the will of Texas voters, who overwhelmingly want Republican leadership.
Grassroots conservatives also blame Phelan for the failure of school vouchers last year. Harrison said it is unclear if Phelan’s departure will make it easier for vouchers to pass.
“It depends on who replaces him. This is what I want people to watch for. While I am celebrating the victory of Dade Phelan stepping down, I want to caution people that it could well be Dade Phelan’s own team – his own liberal team that is orchestrating him stepping down so they can swap someone in who’s every bit as liberal, every bit as beholden to the swamp as he was. This is going to be hard for conservatives to understand – what I’m about to say here. Dade Phelan was not the central problem in the Austin swamp. He was just the most visible manifestation of it,” said Harrison.
The battle to replace Phelan highlights continuing divisions within the Republican Party of Texas. It remains unclear who will take his place or what issues they will prioritize.
The House Republican Caucus is scheduled to meet Saturday, Dec. 7, to narrow down candidates. According to caucus bylaws, the person who wins Saturday’s vote is expected to be supported by all Republicans on the floor of the Texas House.
But Harrison said that process has never really worked.
“It’s kind of more theoretical than actual, what does matter is who can get 76 votes on the floor… come January, that’s the only thing that actually matters,” said Harrison.
A few weeks ago, Representative David Cook won a straw poll taken by a group of conservative Republicans. Harrison stated that he would support Rep. Cook during the upcoming Caucus meeting.
A few weeks ago, Rep. David Cook won a straw poll of conservative Republicans. Harrison said he will support Cook in the upcoming caucus meeting. Rep. Dustin Burrows has also announced his candidacy for speaker.
The official election for speaker will take place on the first day of the legislative session, Jan. 14, 2025.
To be clear, Phelan is not seeking re-election as speaker but will remain a member of the House. He recently won re-election to his seat in Beaumont.
The key question now is who will replace him as speaker, with five weeks remaining until the legislature reconvenes.