Texas House legislative records and news reports

Dustin Burrows, Republican from Lubbock, Elected Texas House Speaker with 85 Votes for 89th Session

Jan 14, 2025, 08:46 PM

Dustin Burrows, a Republican from Lubbock, has been elected as the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives for the 89th Legislative Session. The election, which took place on the first day of the session, saw Burrows secure 85 votes against his main rival, David Cook from Mansfield, who received 55 votes. Nine representatives abstained from voting. The vote followed a runoff after an initial round where Burrows received 71 votes, Cook 56, and Ana-María Rodríguez Ramos 23. Burrows' victory marks a significant moment as he was supported by a coalition that included more Democrats than Republicans, a move that has sparked controversy among some Republican factions. This election ends a multi-month internal battle within the Texas Republican Party, which began in the last legislative session, and positions Burrows to lead the chamber alongside Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick in shaping Texas legislation. The Texas House comprises 88 Republicans and 62 Democrats, with a candidate needing 76 votes to become speaker.