Waco Journal
Wednesday, August 27, 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 reminds Texans to apply for disaster unemployment assistance by September 4 following Hill Country floods

August 26, 2025

Texas - Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) reminded residents impacted by severe storms and flooding in...

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 agriculture commissioner addresses human case of travel-related New World Screwworm in Maryland

August 26, 2025

Texas - Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller commented on a recently reported human case of travel-related New World Screwworm (NWS)...

TDCJ announces fourth consecutive pay increase for correctional staff and introduces new Senior Correctional Officer title
Texas

TDCJ announces fourth consecutive pay increase for correctional staff and introduces new Senior Correctional Officer title

August 26, 2025

Texas - The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) announced that correctional staff will receive a pay increase for the...

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Miller announces schools to celebrate National School Breakfast Week March 3-7 with theme ‘Clue In To School Breakfast’
Texas

Texas Agriculture Commissioner praises introduction of No Discrimination in Farm Programs Act

August 20, 2025

Waco, TX - Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller expressed support for the introduction of the No Discrimination in Farm Programs...

TxDOT begins public roadway project at Port of Harlingen
Texas

TxDOT begins public roadway project at Port of Harlingen

August 18, 2025

Texas - According to the state officials, TxDOT announced that a public roadway project at the Port of Harlingen is...

USDA to invest $750 million in domestic sterile screwworm production facility in Texas
Texas

USDA to invest $750 million in domestic sterile screwworm production facility in Texas

August 18, 2025

Waco, TX - Governor Greg Abbott and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture...

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

Governor Abbott reminds Texans to apply for disaster unemployment assistance by September 4 following Hill Country floods

by Nolan Harris
August 26, 2025
0

Texas - Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) reminded residents impacted by severe storms and flooding in...

Read moreDetails
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 agriculture commissioner addresses human case of travel-related New World Screwworm in Maryland

August 26, 2025
TDCJ announces fourth consecutive pay increase for correctional staff and introduces new Senior Correctional Officer title

TDCJ announces fourth consecutive pay increase for correctional staff and introduces new Senior Correctional Officer title

August 26, 2025
Waco Police Department unveils upgraded Crime Scene Unit vehicle highlighting civilian staff contributions to evidence collection

Waco Police Department unveils upgraded Crime Scene Unit vehicle highlighting civilian staff contributions to evidence collection

August 26, 2025
Celebrate Circle Road’s Honorary Name Change to Pet Circle Road on 6 Feb

City of Waco invites community to celebrate Pet Circle Regional Animal Center’s first birthday with free adoptions and family fun

August 26, 2025
Governor Greg Abbott announces $17.3 million grant to SpaceX for expansion of semiconductor R&D facility in Bastrop

Governor Abbott reminds Texans to apply for disaster unemployment assistance by September 4 following Hill Country floods

by Nolan Harris
August 26, 2025
0

Texas - Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) reminded residents impacted by severe storms and flooding in...

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 agriculture commissioner addresses human case of travel-related New World Screwworm in Maryland

by Nolan Harris
August 26, 2025
0

Texas - Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller commented on a recently reported human case of travel-related New World Screwworm (NWS)...

TDCJ announces fourth consecutive pay increase for correctional staff and introduces new Senior Correctional Officer title

TDCJ announces fourth consecutive pay increase for correctional staff and introduces new Senior Correctional Officer title

by Nolan Harris
August 26, 2025
0

Texas - The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) announced that correctional staff will receive a pay increase for the...

Waco Police Department unveils upgraded Crime Scene Unit vehicle highlighting civilian staff contributions to evidence collection

Waco Police Department unveils upgraded Crime Scene Unit vehicle highlighting civilian staff contributions to evidence collection

by Nolan Harris
August 26, 2025
0

Waco, TX - The Waco Police Department announced on August 22 that its Crime Scene Unit received a new, upgraded...

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

  • Governor Abbott reminds Texans to apply for disaster unemployment assistance by September 4 following Hill Country floods
  • Texas agriculture commissioner addresses human case of travel-related New World Screwworm in Maryland

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