Texas House Elects Dustin Burrows as Speaker Amid GOP Infighting

AUSTIN, Texas — Republican Rep. Dustin Burrows of Lubbock was elected speaker of the Texas House on Tuesday, securing one of the most influential positions in state government. Burrows won the speaker’s race with an 85-55 vote, defeating Rep. David Cook of Mansfield, with nine members present but abstaining from voting.

Burrows’ victory represents a setback for the insurgent wing of the Republican Party, which had sought to oust establishment leaders and push the chamber further to the right. The election outcome signals a continuation of the existing power structure, as Burrows is a close ally of former Speaker Dade Phelan, who stepped down ahead of the 2025 legislative session.

The new speaker’s reliance on Democratic support has drawn criticism from right-wing Republicans, who argue that the position should be filled by a candidate backed by a majority of GOP votes. Burrows’ critics have vowed to target Republicans who supported him in the primary, and the Republican Party of Texas has pledged to censure those members who broke from Cook.

As speaker, Burrows will wield significant influence over the legislative process, including appointing committee chairs and determining which bills advance to the floor. Alongside Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Burrows will form part of the “Big Three” leaders shaping Texas policy. The trio’s ability to collaborate will be critical in addressing key issues such as property tax cuts, border security, and education reform.

Last session, strained relationships among state leaders led to a record four special sessions, as lawmakers struggled to pass legislation on property taxes, immigration restrictions, teacher pay raises, and school vouchers. This year, however, lawmakers anticipate fewer overtime sessions, with Abbott expressing optimism about advancing his school voucher agenda. Burrows, a voucher supporter, has indicated that he believes the political climate has shifted in favor of such legislation.

Burrows, first elected to the House in 2014, has chaired influential committees, including the Calendars Committee and the select committee investigating the 2022 Uvalde school shooting. He has also authored significant bills on school finance, property tax reform, and school security. His tenure as speaker will be closely watched as he navigates the challenges of a divided Republican caucus and a politically charged legislative agenda.