At Tyler stop, Ken Paxton urges East Texas representatives to support GOP’s choice for Texas House speaker

  

A lively crowd of enthusiastic residents from all around East Texas cheered Monday as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton took to the microphone at an event focused on what he said is holding Republican representatives accountable.

“The question really is pretty simple … We’re asking our Republican state representatives … to vote with the Republicans to elect a Republican leader, and if you can’t do that, what can I trust you to do on behalf of our beliefs?” Paxton said Monday night at the Holiday Inn on South Broadway in Tyler.

Paxton is on a statewide tour, visiting Texas House districts where he says incumbent state representatives are undermining the Republican Party. According to Paxton, these lawmakers are striking deals with Democrats to obstruct the election of a Texas House Speaker supported by a majority of Republicans ahead of the 2025 legislative session.

Co-hosted by Grassroots America – We the People Political Action Committee, the event highlighted the speaker’s race. Organizers criticized a small group of Republicans for what they believe defies party rules by opposing the GOP’s nominee for speaker Rep. David Cook (R-Mansfield).

Conservative leaders JoAnn Fleming and Christine Bentley joined Paxton and Republican Party of Texas Chairman Abraham George to address the conservative agenda at risk if Republicans allow Democrats to influence control of the Texas House during the 89th Legislative Session.

Cook was declared the endorsed candidate for Texas House Speaker by the House GOP Caucus in a 48-14 vote. The decision came after supporters of Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, walked out of the meeting following a stalemate in the first two rounds of voting.

Bentley, State Republican Executive Committee Woman for Senate District 1, said in a previous interview the division creates the appearance of weak Republican control and gives Democrats too much influence, going against party goals.

She called Burrows’ actions a power play that undermines GOP leadership.

Cook has the caucus endorsement, but Burrows claims to have support from both parties, including Rep. Cole Hefner, R-Mount Pleasant, who continues to support Burrows despite criticism.

The process of electing the Speaker of the Texas House begins with separate caucus meetings for Republicans and Democrats, where members nominate and endorse their preferred candidates. While Republicans usually hold a majority, both parties participate in the vote.

On the first day of the legislative session, all 150 House members vote to elect the Speaker, requiring a majority — 76 votes — for a candidate to win. Although caucus support influences the process, bipartisan backing can affect the outcome when there is division within a party.

David Stein, Smith County Republican Chair, said GOP caucus rules state members “should” support the endorsed candidate, not “shall.” He said the caucus is divided, with many members dissenting.

“This tour is about accountability,” Paxon said. “The voters of Texas spoke this past year. They expect a Republican-led majority to elect a Speaker by a majority of Republican state representatives.”

Paxton said incumbents who made similar decisions two years ago, including an attempt to impeach him, are not returning for this legislative session. Paxton warned that those making deals with Democrats to block a Republican majority-elected speaker should expect a primary challenge, stating that Texans deserve leadership that reflects their values.

“There is still time for these incumbents to make the right decision,” Paxton said.

Paxton’s tour, held in conjunction with Republican Party of Texas Chairman Abraham George, includes stops in key districts across the state. The tour aims to spotlight representatives who have “fallen short” in upholding conservative principles and are reportedly supporting a speaker not elected by the Republican majority.

As part of his statewide tour, Paxton stopped in Tyler to visit constituents of House District 5, represented by Hefner; House District 7, represented by Jay Dean; and House District 8, represented by Cody Harris.

Paxton also visited Tarrant County, the cities of Leander and The Woodlands.