Burrows’ speaker bid praised: ‘He understands how you get things done’

Dustin Burrows, courtesy image.

Update: On Saturday neither Representative Dustin Burrows nor Representative David Cook won a 60 percent majority of the Republican caucus in the race for Texas Speaker of the House. The Democratic caucus then agreed its members could support anyone but Cook as the next speaker. Burrows then said he had enough bipartisan support and, “The speaker’s race is over.” Burrows released a list supporters.

Cook indicated it’s not over and he will try to lobby both Burrow’s Republican supporters and members of the Democratic caucus between now and January. Below is our original story published on Friday evening.

Dustin Burrows received enthusiastic support and praise from current and former Lubbock leaders after filing paperwork to become Speaker of the Texas House one day before Republicans choose their nominee in a caucus vote.

The people LubbockLights.com interviewed cited Burrows’ experience in the Legislature, important posts he’s held and how having a speaker from Lubbock can benefit the city, region and Texas Tech University.

“His ability to solve problems – at the end of the day, that’s the most important thing a legislator has to do. Dustin has done a really good job with that,” said Robert Duncan, former state representative, state senator and chancellor of the Texas Tech University System.

Last minute bid for speaker

Burrows filed his paperwork with the Texas Ethics Commission just one day before the Republican caucus vote.

Duncan thinks that might work in his favor.

“The last three speakers have been selected, in my view, have been a little bit of surprise at the last minute. And I think Dustin has kind of emerged now at the end of the campaign cycle as a leader.”

As of Friday, there were 10 candidates for Speaker. Observers have been keeping an eye on Republican Representative David L. Cook of Mansfield who filed back in September.

Duncan explained two paths for Burrows. If he can get 60 percent of his fellow Republicans to vote for him Saturday between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. then all 88 Republicans agree (by caucus rules) to vote for him. Burrows would be the winner at that point because Republicans outnumber Democrats.

But if neither Burrows nor Cook can get to 53 votes in the caucus then it goes to the House Floor in January. Nothing prevents a Republican from making a deal with Democrats to get a majority support and become speaker.

Duncan thinks Burrows could pull that off.

Related story: Lubbock’s Dustin Burrows files to become next speaker of Texas House of Representatives as Phelan steps aside

Influence

Marc McDougal, former Lubbock mayor, said, “Great guy! I’m glad he’s representing West Texas.”

“I don’t think you can put a value on what that means for Texas Tech and Lubbock, the Permian Basin, West Texas and Amarillo,” McDougal said.

But ultimately that value will come in the form of state dollars for local projects.

“Just funding. I mean, it’s all about funding,” McDougal said.

McDougal mentioned times when Pete Laney of Hale Center was speaker of the House, 1993-2003 and when Preston Smith of Lubbock served as Texas governor, 1969-1973.

“That’s how we got the teaching hospital with Texas Tech. Governor Smith got elected,” McDougal said of University Medical Center and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

Laney’s influence (along with state senator turned Texas Tech Chancelor John Montford) helped Tech get its foot in the door for entry into the Big 12 Conference in the mid-1990s, McDougal said.

Kent Hance, former congressman, state senator and chancellor of Texas Tech, said Waggoner Carr of Lubbock was speaker of the House, 1957-1961, at a time when Tech was establishing a law school.

“They could not have done if we hadn’t had those two positions,” Hance said of Carr and Smith (who was lieutenant governor before becoming governor).

Duncan added another example to the list. The support from Tom Craddick of Midland, speaker from 2003 until 2009, was important as Texas Tech laid the groundwork for reaching 40,000 students.

Burrows already showed great skill in supporting projects for Tech like a new School of Veterinary Medicine and a Dental School, Duncan said. He also thought all of Texas benefits if Burrows wins the speaker’s race, not just one part of the state.

McDougal also mentioned Burrows’ influence in getting a proposition for the Texas University Fund in front of voters in November of last year. It passed.

Hance agreed.

“Dustin Burrows, if it hadn’t been for him, we wouldn’t have gotten that $4 billion that came through,” Hance said of the fund that Tech will share with three other universities.

Duncan is semi-retired but still helps Texas Tech from time to time.

“I think Dustin uniquely understands all of the issues that we are facing as a higher ed institution in West Texas, but also our national ambitions,” Duncan said.

Calendar Committee – bigger than it sounds

The three most powerful people in the House are the speaker, the chair of appropriations and the chair of the calendar committee. Burrows has been two-time chair of that third one.

“If you can imagine the thousands of bills that are actually filed and passed out of committee,” Duncan said.

Someone must decide which bills go to the House floor for a vote.

“It’s a careful balancing act in a political body like the Texas House. And I think Dustin’s shown his ability to manage those political conflicts that arise from that,” Duncan said.

The House meets in regular session once every other year. And the session is limited to 140 days. That’s not much time. The governor can call a special session, but that’s limited to 30 days or less.

“He has the skills and the experience to be able to make the House productive,” Duncan said.

“He understands how you get things done,” Hance said of Burrows. “He’s as good a student of the political atmosphere as anyone I’ve ever seen from the Lubbock area.”

Burrows earned trust in Austin, Duncan said, put in charge of investigating the 2022 school shooting at Uvalde on behalf of the House. He also was named to the House investigation of the 2024 Panhandle wildfires.

Praise from other lawmakers

Carl Tepper, who is also a State representative from Lubbock said, “I can’t imagine a better speaker for the Texas House of Representatives. … I proudly and enthusiastically endorse my friend Dustin Burrows,” Tepper said.

State Senator Charles Perry said, “My friend and legislative counterpart in the House, Chairman Dustin Burrows, filed for speaker today, and I am 100 percent behind him.”

Burrows had a proven ability to deliver legislation – Perry calling him “an exceptional choice for Texas Speaker.”

“I wish him great success and hope for a unanimous vote of support on Saturday. Texas will be well served with Dustin at the helm,” Perry said.

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Author: James Clark- James Clark is the associate editor of Lubbock Lights. He worked in radio, television and digital media for a combined total of more than 30 years. He was Director of Digital News Content at KAMC, KLBK and EverythingLubbock.com for nearly 10 years.

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