AUSTIN — State Rep. James Frank filed Tuesday to run for speaker, becoming the fourth Republican to challenge Dade Phelan as leader of the Texas House.
In a letter to colleagues, Frank said this year’s Republican primary results made clear “the House itself and our voters want to move in a different direction” from Phelan, who narrowly won a runoff in May.
“By today’s actions, I am officially asking you to consider whether I represent that direction,” said Frank, a six-term representative from Wichita Falls.
Citing conversations with colleagues and his perception of his strengths, Frank said he would work to provide clear and consistent communication within the House and with the Senate and Gov. Greg Abbott. He also committed to better floor management with an emphasis on early passage of Republican priority bills to avoid the need for special sessions.
Frank also advocated for naming only Republicans to chair committees to “allow significantly more Republican members to participate in leadership roles.” His letter noted Texas is one of just three states with committee leaders from the minority party. Texas Democrats led eight committees in 2023.
The House Republican Caucus will meet in private after the November general election to choose its nominee as speaker for the next legislative session, which begins in January. A new speaker is chosen on the first day of each regular session, with all 150 members of the House voting.
Phelan, R-Beaumont, has tapped former Gov. Rick Perry as senior adviser and hired Mike Toomey, a prominent lobbyist and former aide to Govs. Perry and Bill Clements, as chief of staff as he fights to remain speaker.
Three other Republicans also are seeking to replace Phelan — Reps. Tom Oliverson of Cypress, Shelby Slawson of Stephenville and David Cook of Mansfield.
Oliverson announced his candidacy in March, calling for wholesale change to move past what he characterized as dysfunction. Slawson joined the race in May, shortly after Phelan survived his primary challenge. In her letter to colleagues, she criticized Phelan and promised reforms sought by some of the most conservative House members. Cook, who filed his speaker candidacy last week, pledged to improve the House’s communication and efficiency.