The Texas House of Representatives has concluded its vote for the Speaker, selecting Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock), as the leader for the 89th Legislative Session. This decision follows a closely contested race between Burrows and Rep. David Cook (R-Mansfield,) highlighting significant divisions within the Republican Party.
Burrows ultimately secured 85 votes in a runoff vote, surpassing the 76-vote majority threshold needed to clinch the gavel. Cook, who garnered 55 votes, faced mounting support from conservatives like Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Attorney General Ken Paxton.
The protracted process underscores the stakes of the speakership in shaping the legislative agenda on critical issues.
The voting process spanned two rounds. In the first vote, Reps. Ana María-Ramos, Cook, and Burrows received 23, 56, and 71 votes, respectively. Since no candidate reached the required 76 votes to secure the speakership, the race proceeded to a runoff vote between Reps. Burrows and Cook.
“Remember great Garnet Coleman, who chaired my first committee and shared wisdom I have never forgotten. He told me we all have the same people. Poor people, wealthy people, and everything in between, united by the fact they all have problems. But at the end of the day, we have to work together because of whom we represent. We work for the people,” Burrows said during his speech after being sworn in as Texas House Speaker.
“Sam Houston once said, a leader is someone who helps improve the lives of other people or improves the system they live under. They Those words capture the essence of our responsibility here. The weight of this moment and the trust you’ve placed to me is not lost on me,” Burrows concluded.
Here is a picture of the recorded vote for the runoff (graphic first published by James Barragan from The Texas Tribune):

Before the vote, Texas House representatives nominated their candidates for Speaker and were each given five minutes to address the chamber, outlining their priorities and vision for leadership.
Rep. Trent Ashby nominated Rep. David Cook (R-Mansfield), for Texas House Speaker.
“It is in these moments of disagreement and division that I believe David Cook’s approach to leadership truly shines,” said Ashby. He highlighted Cook’s experience as the Mayor of Mansfield, emphasizing how it has equipped him to navigate the diverse perspectives and challenges within the Texas House.
Rep. Charlie Geren nominated Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock), emphasizing the importance of unity following partisan battles. “Republicans fought hard to win the last election, and we still hold control of the governor’s and lieutenant governor’s offices. But the partisan campaigns ended on November 5th,” Geren stated, urging lawmakers to focus on governing rather than political divisions.
Rep. Christina Morales nominated Rep. Ana María-Ramos (D-Richardson), for the Texas House Speaker race emerging as the third candidate.
“My nomination today is about the millions of teachers who can’t see a doctor because health insurance is out of reach. It is about the Texas children dying in the very classrooms where they should be safe from harm,” said Morales.
“Children are becoming statistics and we have the opportunity to act and put an end to these preventable deaths.”
Morales emphasized the importance of representation, concluding that Texans deserve leaders who reflect their communities. She noted that the composition of the Legislature does not mirror the diversity of the state’s population.
In her speech, María-Ramos emphasized what the American dream should represent for all Texans. “Our public schools are closing, rural communities are without hospitals, and young Texans don’t know if they can save for their starter home. The thing is, these are policy choices; it doesn’t have to be this way. We deserve good pay for hard work. Yet, in the midst of an abundant surplus, we are surrounded by scarcity,” she said.
In a post-vote statement, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick criticized the election of Speaker Burrows, highlighting the role of Democratic support in his victory. “This may be the first time in our nation’s history where the minority party openly elected the speaker of a legislative body instead of the majority party,” Patrick said. His remarks underscore the deep divisions within the Republican Party and the unusual coalition that secured Burrows the speakership.