Ken Paxton Throws Weight Behind Cook For House Speaker

At the Tarrant County Republican Party headquarters on January 6, Attorney General Ken Paxton framed his 2023 impeachment ordeal by the Texas House as a pivotal moment to push for new leadership in the chamber.

“This is our first real chance in 16 years to reshape the Texas House,” Paxton told a room packed with supporters in Fort Worth. “We have the Senate, the governor, and the attorney general’s office, but unless we change the House, we can’t accomplish the priorities Texans elected us to deliver.”

According to the Fort Worth Report, Paxton threw his weight behind Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, as the GOP candidate for House speaker. Cook, who won the Republican caucus vote in December, faces a competitive challenge from Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock. Burrows, a close ally of outgoing Speaker Dade Phelan, is pursuing a bipartisan strategy, seeking support from both Republicans and Democrats.

Although Cook voted in favor of some articles of impeachment against Paxton, the attorney general expressed confidence in his ability to lead the chamber in a way that prioritizes conservative values. Cook has drawn less criticism than other Republicans who supported impeachment and notably avoided a primary challenge last year.

The ongoing Republican battle for the next Speaker of the House has exposed deep divisions within the GOP. Former Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) faced criticism from Governor Greg Abbott and Paxton despite delivering a conservative legislative agenda in 2023. Phelan’s perceived failure to pass school vouchers and his role in Paxton’s impeachment led to his removal, creating a leadership vacuum.

The next speaker will need 76 votes to secure the position in the January 14 session, the opening day of the 89th Legislature. While Burrows did not respond to media inquiries, his alignment with Phelan has made him a target for criticism from within his party.