Former Speaker Dade Phelan Announces Retirement from Texas House

Former Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan (R) announced that he will not seek reelection to the Texas House of Representatives. The departure marks the end of an influential and often polarizing decade-long tenure in the Legislature.

Phelan made his announcement in a social media post accompanied by a farewell video message from martial artist and actor Chuck Norris, calling it his “final political ad” for the House.

“May God Bless the House and may God Bless the Great State of Texas,” Phelan wrote.

Elected in 2014 and Speaker from 2021 to 2025, Phelan presided over sweeping conservative reforms. His leadership tenure saw the passage of permitless handgun carry, bans on nearly all abortions, restrictions on transgender rights, and assertive state action on immigration.

However, his decision to oversee the 2023 impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton fractured GOP unity and made him a target of intraparty attacks.

Despite surviving a fierce 2024 primary, Phelan stepped down as Speaker in early 2025 and was succeeded by Rep. Dustin Burrows (R), one of his closest allies in the House.

Following the news, Burrows paid tribute to Phelan in a statement on X.

“Dade is more than a colleague, He is a treasure to Southeast Texas, to the Texas House, and to the great Lone Star State... His legacy of leadership, service, and friendship will live on long after he leaves the chamber,” He said.

As a real estate developer turned legislator, Phelan's political career blended policy discipline with the kind of deal-making necessary to navigate competing GOP factions.

His exit signals a continued shift in Texas politics and leaves open a key seat as the party prepares for 2026.