As the drama in the race for speaker continues to unfold, it’s becoming clear that there is still more work to be done in the Texas House of Representatives. House Republicans have yet to unite around a conservative speaker.
The American Thinker’s Silvio Canto Jr. says that that’s really all that needs to happen for Rep. David Cook to beat Rep. Dustin Burrows, who is a close ally of the current Speaker, Dade Phelan. He said, “The Republicans can elect the next speaker by simply voting together, because they have the votes to do it. Whoever gets the most Republican votes is going to win.”
There are some concerns that certain members of the Republican Caucus might break off from their fellow Republicans and vote with the Democrats to elect Dustin Burrows, who, like Phelan, would likely be more friendly to the House Democrats.
Canto says Governor Abbott could play a major role in stopping that. He pointed out that Governor Abbott’s push for school choice cost many of Dade Phelan’s top allies their seats. He said, “This is the Governor who, I think, went out and settled some scores. If you’re a Republican who’s responsible for keeping us from vouchers, that’s not something you want to be known for.”