Texas GOP not fans of Bonnen's new mixtape

On Tuesday, the much-hyped secret recording at the center of the “Bonnghazi” political scandal splintering the Texas House was released to the public, as was a transcript. The actors in the June 12 meeting were the conservative activist and leader of Empower Texans, Michael Quinn Sullivan, Texas House Speaker Bonnen (R-Angleton) and former House GOP Caucus Chair Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock). 

The response has been largely critical of the Speaker, including some elected officials calling for his resignation. Here is a highlight of the tweets the tape inspired:

First Reactions

A survey of un-edited stream of consciousness

Texas Realtors Political Affairs Specialist sums it up 

Protip: Skip the first 9 min. to hear the substance of the meeting

Escargot were apparently criticized by Sullivan in the tape

Retiring Rep. Jonathan Stickland (R-Bedford), funded by Empower Texans, already heard the tape 

Wells Dunbar, Texas Standard producer, gives a common refrain since the scandal started

One of the new revelations from the recording: Hating on cities & counties affects everyone

The irony of Sullivan being asked if the meeting is confidential

Mayor of Austin Steve Adler was a target of the Local Gov’t Hate

The Players

A journalist and several elected officials were mentioned on the tape.

Scott Braddock, Journalist and Editor for the Capitol Insider Quorum Report

Calls to Resign from Members of the “List”

Ten Republicans were listed as targets in the primaries by Speaker Bonnen & Rep. Dustin Burrows for Empower Texans to spend against

Steve Allison (R-San Antonio)

John Raney (R-College Station)

Drew Darby (R-San Angelo)

Kyle Kacal (R-College Station)

Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin)

Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound)

Stan Lambert (R-Abilene)

Earnest Bailes (R-Shepherd)

Travis Clardy (R-Nacogdoches)

Phil Stephenson (R-Wharton)

Dems Mentioned on the Tape

Jon Rosenthal (D-Houston): Stays focused on his constituents, not “distractions”

Michelle Beckley (D-Carrollton): Fundraising off the Tape

Ana-Maria Ramos (D-Dallas): One of the plaintiffs with Texas Democratic Party in the Lawsuit against Sullivan

Other Reactions

An odd pairing

Words of Caution to Texas Legislators