Lubbock State Representative Dustin Burrows filed paperwork to become the next Texas Speaker of the House, LubbockLights.com learned Friday morning.
Current speaker Dade Phelan, representative from Beaumont, announced Friday morning he’ll step aside from the speaker’s race.
Updated story link: Burrows’ speaker bid praised: ‘He understands how you get things done’
“By stepping aside, I believe we create the best opportunity for our members to rally around a new candidate who will uphold the principles that make our House one of the most exceptional … ” Phelan said in a written statement.
Phelan, Texas House Speaker for four years, ran into trouble with his Republican colleagues in the last session over the longstanding practice of appointing Democratic committee chairs.
The Texas Tribune reported, “Phelan started to lose his grip on the House last year when Attorney General Ken Paxton — months after being impeached on corruption charges in the lower chamber — survived his trial in the Senate.”
The Tribune said the acquittal was a major rebuke of Phelan, who supported the impeachment effort.
The next step in the speaker’s race will be Saturday morning, starting at 11:30, in a closed-door caucus vote of Republicans. To get Republican caucus support, Burrows would need 60 percent of the votes.
After that, the speaker’s race goes to the House floor for a vote in January.
“Dustin Burrows is a patriot who loves Texas like no other,” said Carl Tepper, a State Representative also from Lubbock.
“He came up with me through the local Republican Party and embraces our ideals, from Lincoln through Reagan and now the Trump revolution. Even more important is his faith in God and his devotion to his beautiful family,” Tepper said.
Burrows has common sense and a strong moral compass, Tepper said.
“I can’t imagine a better Speaker for the Texas House of Representatives. … I proudly and enthusiastically endorse my friend Dustin Burrows.”
LubbockLights.com reached out the office of Governor Greg Abbott to see if he will support Burrows. Abbott’s press office has not yet responded. In December, Abbott endorsed Burrows for re-election.
Burrows had not yet made a public statement on his bid for the speakership.
Burrows has been a representative from Lubbock since winning election for the first time in November 2014.
He currently serves as Chair the Calendars Committee, which has power to set priorities when bills go to the House Floor. Burrows also serves on the Community Safety, Elections, and Higher Education committees.
As of mid-morning on Friday, 10 people filed forms with the Texas Ethics Commission to run for speaker. Among them was Republican David Cook of Mansfield who filed his paperwork back in September.
This article was first published as breaking news and was then updated. We published a further update here.
Please click here to support Lubbock Lights.
Comment, react or share on our Facebook post.
Facebook