WACO, Texas (KWTX) – State House Republicans are at odds over who should be the next Speaker of the House after Dade Phelan’s announcement last week that he would not be seeking a third term as Speaker.
On Saturday, the Republican Caucus voted in support of David Cook, of Mansfield, but only after Republicans who support Dustin Burrows, of Lubbock, walked out.
Both lawmakers claimed enough votes to win the position when the full State House votes in January.
Before the vote on Saturday, a political action committee circulated a text message claiming that Pat Curry, recently elected Representative of District 56, was supporting the more liberal Dustin Burrows.
The message even included Curry’s personal cell phone number and urged constituents to take action.
Curry told KWTX that was all a lie.
“Number one it was illegal. Number two, it was not where I was headed. The vote hadn’t even taken place when they sent it out Friday evening. David Cook will tell you that I have told him in person and in writing that I plan to support him and I did,” Curry said.
Curry said he expects Cook to be the Republican’s choice for Speaker of the House when the legislature convenes in January and that he intends to vote for him.
“I am proud to support State Representative David Cook to be our next Speaker of the House. David is a reform-minded conservative who shares my commitment to delivering on the Republican mandate that was given to us on November 5th. Davide was the choice of the Republican caucus, and I look forward to working with David to keep Texas and Mclennan County great,” Curry said in a statement.
Curry plans to take legal action against those responsible for the text message.
“I don’t know exactly why they did it, but I know the PAC. I don’t know who was behind it but I will find out and I intend to to take this to the full extent of the law. I got hundreds and hundreds of calls and text messages. My voice messages were full. They disrupted my district, and they harassed me and my family,” the local state rep. said.
The full State House will elect a new Speaker when the legislature convenes on January 14, 2025.
Curry said he expects Cook to be named the new Speaker but admits that anything can happen between now and January.
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