Tuesday’s election of Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, as speaker of the Texas House marked the end of a fierce and well followed leadership contest that highlighted the continued rift within the Republican Party. After two rounds of voting, Burrows defeated challenger Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, with 85 votes, 49 from Democrats and 36 from Republicans.
Burrows outlined his vision for an autonomous and cooperative House in his victory address, where members may debate issues without worrying about reprisals. At his swearing-in ceremony, accompanied by his wife Elisabeth and their three sons, he declared, “This is the people’s House.” Today, I promise that each member will have a voice. The table will be occupied by representatives from each district.
Conservative Republicans and activists sharply criticized Burrows’ reliance on Democratic votes, even as his supporters applauded his plea for unity. “The RINO (anti-MAGA) establishment laughed in the faces of our Republican grassroots,” wrote Rep. Shelley Luther, R-Tom Bean, on social media, calling the result a betrayal of Republican beliefs. The battle begins today.
Deeper rifts in Texas politics were mirrored in the speaker’s campaign, which was partly driven by the power of affluent conservative contributors Ferris Wilks and Tim Dunn. The two have given millions of dollars to groups and campaigns that support a strong conservative agenda over the years. Candidates that advocate for religious conservatism, limited government, and measures like barring Democratic lawmakers from chairing committees have benefited greatly from their financial support. The dynamics within the Legislature have changed as a result of their activities, which have increased pressure on Republican lawmakers to adopt their views.
Some lawmakers emphasized the necessity of moving forward in spite of the criticism. “I think Burrows will do a good job, just like I think David would,” said former Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, who changed his vote to Burrows in the second round. It’s time to put an end to the hostility.
The repercussions of Burrows’ victory highlight the escalating conflict between the insurgent elements and the Republican Party’s establishment. After defeating over a dozen moderate Republicans in the previous primary season, hardline conservatives saw this year’s speaker contest as an opportunity to increase their power. Their favorite candidate, Cook, had pledged to advance conservative agenda items like school voucher legislation and the prohibition of Democratic committee chairs.
Burrows’ election, however, indicates that the House’s power structure will probably not change much and that bipartisan collaboration will probably continue. Key Republican officials, such as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, have already expressed concern about this strategy and criticized Burrows’ reliance on Democratic votes. “I hope Burrows will support conservative legislative priorities like property tax cuts, bail reform, school vouchers, and limiting the teaching of critical race theory in public schools,” Patrick said.
The passage of House rules later this week will be the first test of Burrows leadership. Rules prohibiting Democratic lawmakers from chairing committees, a long-standing bipartisan tradition in the Texas House, have been demanded by conservative groups. Although Burrows has not taken a firm stand on the matter, the result might have a big impact on his coalition, which depends on Democratic backing.
The election also emphasizes how important legislative cooperation is in Texas. By choosing committee chairmen and controlling the passage of legislation, the House speaker has considerable authority. The success of the legislative session will probably depend on Burrows’ ability to manage tensions between the chambers, as he is one of the Big Three leaders in Texas government, together with the governor and lieutenant governor.
The Legislature has a difficult agenda, according to observers, with prominent topics including immigration policy, property tax reform, and school vouchers taking up most of the agenda. Burrows, a strong advocate for school vouchers, has hinted that the political climate may now be in favor of their enactment. In an indication of his intention to back voucher legislation in line with the House’s decision, he told reporters last month, “I think the political winds have shifted, and the votes are there.”
One of the most heated speaker contests in recent memory comes to an end with Burrows’ victory, but it also paves the way for more conflicts inside the Republican Party and between the House and Senate. Lawmakers from both parties are eagerly awaiting the start of the session to see how Burrows’ leadership will influence the Texas Legislature’s future.
