Texas Republican Caucus Poised to Vote for Cook in Speaker Race

Controversy surrounding the race for Texas’ speaker of the House is reaching a boiling point. The Republican Caucus is poised to vote for Texas congressman David Cook (R) despite a challenge from Texas congressman Dustin Burrows (R).

Although House Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R) reelection bid was rumored to be a challenging feat, it wasn’t. The race for Texas’ speaker of the house however is proving to be a bit more difficult.

The House will vote on a new speaker at their January 14^th, 2025, session, and Republican congressmen like J.M. Lozano (R) are imploring other members of the Republican Caucus to reject Rep Burrows.

On social media, Rep. Lozano made his case on behalf of Rep. Cook, writing that “it’s time for all of our Republican Caucus in the Texas House of Representatives to follow the rules we adopted by supporting our Republican Caucus Nominee and adhere to the will of the people.”

Rep. Cook won the nomination on December 7^th, 2024, but Rep. Burrows also declared victory, which has polarized the Texas House.

Rep. Lozano went on to accuse Rep. Burrows of being a liar. Namely, the Texas congressman highlighted 76 names of Democrats and Republicans that were alleged to be backing his candidacy. After he released the list, some lawmakers who were mentioned like Reps. Gary Gates (R), Josey Garcia (D), and Don McLaughlin (R) announced that they had not committed to voting for Rep. Burrows.

To counter any momentum Rep. Burrows could have, Texas’ Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) is taking part in a statewide tour in support of Rep. Cook. Today, he will be in Fort Worth with Republican Party of Texas Chairman Abraham George (R) to address “a small group of Republicans currently trying to cut a deal with Democrats to control the Texas House.”

To be elected speaker of the Texas house, the candidate must acquire 76 votes from the 150 members who are present.