Waco Journal
Saturday, August 2, 2025
  • Local News
  • Crime
  • COVID-19
  • Texas
  • Education
  • Politics
No Result
View All Result
Waco Journal
  • Local News
  • Crime
  • COVID-19
  • Texas
  • Education
  • Politics
No Result
View All Result
Waco Journal
No Result
View All Result

Tensions Rise Among Texas Republicans Over Speaker of the House Race

by Nolan Harris
December 10, 2024
in Texas
Tensions Rise Among Texas Republicans Over Speaker of the House Race

Waco, TX — A power struggle within the Texas State House Republican Caucus intensified over the weekend as lawmakers clashed over who should replace outgoing Speaker Dade Phelan, who announced last week that he would not seek a third term. The battle for Speaker has exposed deep divisions within the party, with two key candidates — David Cook of Mansfield and Dustin Burrows of Lubbock — both claiming enough support to secure the position when the full House votes in January.

On Saturday, members of the Republican Caucus gathered for a vote in which Cook emerged as the preferred candidate. However, the vote was overshadowed by controversy after supporters of Burrows staged a walkout in protest. The walkout underscored the contentious nature of the race and revealed the sharp divisions that have emerged within the Texas GOP.

The tension escalated further when a political action committee (PAC) sent out a text message Friday evening claiming that Representative Pat Curry, who was recently elected to represent District 56, was backing the more liberal Burrows. Curry, however, strongly denied the accusation, calling the PAC’s actions both illegal and misleading.

In a statement, Curry explained that he had communicated his support for Cook to both Cook and others in the caucus in writing and in person. He also expressed frustration with the PAC’s interference, which he said led to hundreds of calls and text messages, disrupting his district and causing harassment to him and his family.

“The vote hadn’t even taken place when they sent it out. 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, reiterating his commitment to Cook.

Curry made it clear that he intends to pursue legal action against those responsible for the PAC’s text message, asserting that he would “take this to the full extent of the law.” He described the situation as a disruption to his work as a representative and a violation of his privacy. Curry’s response highlights the increasingly combative nature of the Speaker race, as rival factions within the Republican Party jockey for influence.

“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 take this to the full extent of the law,” Curry said. “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.”

Despite the controversy, Curry voiced his strong support for Cook, calling him a “reform-minded conservative” who aligns with the values of the Republican Party. Curry stressed that Cook was the choice of the Republican Caucus and expressed optimism that Cook would ultimately become Speaker when the full legislature convenes in January.

“David Cook is the right choice for Speaker of the House,” Curry said in a statement. “David is committed to delivering on the Republican mandate we received on November 5th, and I look forward to working with him to keep Texas and McLennan County great.”

The clash over the Speaker position has exposed the growing fractures within the Texas Republican Party, with members divided on the direction the House should take in the coming legislative session. The dispute is likely to continue to unfold as the January vote approaches, with both Cook and Burrows intensifying their efforts to secure support from their colleagues.

As the January vote looms, the Speaker race remains one of the most closely watched political battles in Texas. While David Cook has garnered backing from key factions within the Republican Caucus, Burrows is still working to consolidate his support, and the walkout on Saturday suggests that the race will be anything but smooth. With tensions running high, it remains to be seen how the contest will play out and whether the rift within the GOP can be healed before the legislature convenes in the new year.

Related Posts

Governor Greg Abbott announces $17.3 million grant to SpaceX for expansion of semiconductor R&D facility in Bastrop
Texas

Governor Abbott activates state emergency response ahead of possible flash flooding in Texas Panhandle

July 31, 2025

Texas - Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate state emergency resources as excessive...

Governor Greg Abbott announces $17.3 million grant to SpaceX for expansion of semiconductor R&D facility in Bastrop
Texas

Governor Abbott thanks 26 states for emergency support following Texas flooding

July 23, 2025

Texas — Governor Greg Abbott expressed gratitude to fellow governors nationwide for providing vital emergency response and recovery assistance after...

Texas announces $280 million drought relief for Rio Grande Valley farmers and ranchers
Texas

Texas announces $280 million drought relief for Rio Grande Valley farmers and ranchers

July 21, 2025

Texas - Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz held a joint press conference in Mission,...

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller praises Trump’s China trade agreement
Texas

Texas official praises president’s visit amid ongoing flood recovery efforts in Kerrville

July 14, 2025

Texas - The Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller addressed President Trump’s recent visit to Kerrville, emphasizing the importance of leadership...

Texas Department of Public Safety adds fugitive to most wanted list after detention center attack
Texas

Texas Department of Public Safety adds fugitive to most wanted list after detention center attack

July 11, 2025

Texas - The Texas Department of Public Safety has added 32-year-old Benjamin Hanil Song to the Texas 10 Most Wanted...

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Miller welcomed 12.2-million-dollar cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture to administer the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program
Texas

Texas Department of Agriculture mobilizes resources to assist Central Texas after severe flooding

July 9, 2025

Texas - In the wake of devastating flooding across Central Texas, Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has directed the Texas Department...

Woman who expressed disappointment after her disabIed famiIy member survived, while confessing to him that ‘she hoped he wouId go to sIeep forever’ after causing an intentionaI overdose, was sentenced
News

Woman who expressed disappointment after her disabIed famiIy member survived, while confessing to him that ‘she hoped he wouId go to sIeep forever’ after causing an intentionaI overdose, was sentenced

by Nolan Harris
August 1, 2025
0

Minnesota - A Minnesota woman pIeaded guiIty last week to one count of attempted first‑degree murder. The 65-year-old woman reached a...

Read moreDetails
Woman who beIieved tying her baby in a bag and Ieaving the chiId in a garbage container right after deIivering the boy was the only option because she feared her partner would Ieave her, was sentenced

Woman who beIieved tying her baby in a bag and Ieaving the chiId in a garbage container right after deIivering the boy was the only option because she feared her partner would Ieave her, was sentenced

August 1, 2025
Governor Greg Abbott announces $17.3 million grant to SpaceX for expansion of semiconductor R&D facility in Bastrop

Governor Abbott activates state emergency response ahead of possible flash flooding in Texas Panhandle

July 31, 2025
Waco library unveils new StoryWalk at Dewey Community Center

Waco library unveils new StoryWalk at Dewey Community Center

July 31, 2025
Waco Teenager Sentenced to 14 Years for Gang-Related Shooting

Waco Police Department announces enrollment for Citizens Police Academy starting August 28

July 31, 2025
Woman who expressed disappointment after her disabIed famiIy member survived, while confessing to him that ‘she hoped he wouId go to sIeep forever’ after causing an intentionaI overdose, was sentenced

Woman who expressed disappointment after her disabIed famiIy member survived, while confessing to him that ‘she hoped he wouId go to sIeep forever’ after causing an intentionaI overdose, was sentenced

by Nolan Harris
August 1, 2025
0

Minnesota - A Minnesota woman pIeaded guiIty last week to one count of attempted first‑degree murder. The 65-year-old woman reached a...

Woman who beIieved tying her baby in a bag and Ieaving the chiId in a garbage container right after deIivering the boy was the only option because she feared her partner would Ieave her, was sentenced

Woman who beIieved tying her baby in a bag and Ieaving the chiId in a garbage container right after deIivering the boy was the only option because she feared her partner would Ieave her, was sentenced

by Nolan Harris
August 1, 2025
0

Texas - A Texas mom was ordered to spend the next 7 years behind bars after pleading guilty to abandoning a...

Governor Greg Abbott announces $17.3 million grant to SpaceX for expansion of semiconductor R&D facility in Bastrop

Governor Abbott activates state emergency response ahead of possible flash flooding in Texas Panhandle

by Nolan Harris
July 31, 2025
0

Texas - Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate state emergency resources as excessive...

Waco library unveils new StoryWalk at Dewey Community Center

Waco library unveils new StoryWalk at Dewey Community Center

by Nolan Harris
July 31, 2025
0

Waco, TX - The City of Waco recently hosted the unveiling of a new StoryWalk book at the Dewey Community...

About Us

A community needs news and Waco Journal is proud to serve 50,000 households each month through our website covering Waco and the other local counties.

Learn more

Recent Stories

  • Woman who expressed disappointment after her disabIed famiIy member survived, while confessing to him that ‘she hoped he wouId go to sIeep forever’ after causing an intentionaI overdose, was sentenced
  • Woman who beIieved tying her baby in a bag and Ieaving the chiId in a garbage container right after deIivering the boy was the only option because she feared her partner would Ieave her, was sentenced

Categories

  • Local News
  • Crime
  • COVID-19
  • Texas
  • Education
  • Politics
Currently Playing

© 2023 Waco Journal

  • Local News
  • Crime
  • COVID-19
  • Texas
  • Education
  • Politics
No Result
View All Result