The upcoming Texas Legislative Session is set to be one filled with fireworks, from school choice to the race for Texas House Speaker. Current Speaker Dade Phelan has faced pressure to leave his seat by many Republicans, most of whom call him a Republican In Name Only (RINO). After State Reps. Tom Oliverson and Shelby Slawson announced their intention to run for the seat, State Rep. David Cook has now thrown his hat into the ring.
It is sure to make things spicy for, as Governor Greg Abbott pushes his legislative agenda to an already split House. Political Consultant Bill Miller says the House though, being the less conservative chamber, gives Pheland a slight advantage to keep his seat.
“It is a small group, but it is a big ask…there are risks with entering the field and the names are yet to be quantified,” he says.
In his announcement for the position, Rep. Cook of Mansfield said it is ‘time to shift to a Republican chair model.’ That comes as one of the biggest points of contention against Phelan has been his defense of placing Democrats in leadership positions.
As mentioned though, it is a slate packed full this session, with Governor Greg Abbott pushing a large agenda through the chambers. The biggest of those being school choice. Abbott in the last election saw success in campaigning against opponents who opposed school choice, as many of them were voted out.
But this time around, with all the stakes being as high as they are, Abbott’s best course of action might be to stay put.
“If he plays a strong role in the house, he puts himself at risk…if he is seen as helping or hurting someone, and that works against him, then his legislative package is injured,” he says. “The smart move is to be hands off, and let the chips fall where they may.”
That is easier said than done, especially with the ill feelings between the Governor and Speaker Phelan.
Miller adds this is also personal for Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who has not been shy about his Phelan feelings. Patrick has dubbed Phelan a ‘RINORAD,’ or as he calls it a ‘Republican In Name Only, Really A Democrat.’
The House Speaker vote will take place on the first day of the session, which is January 14, 2025.