Paxton warns of primary challenges for GOP incumbents amid Texas Speaker battle

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) on Tuesday warned of primary challenges for Republican incumbents in the state Legislature amid an ongoing battle over the Texas House Speakership. 

“Texans expect a Republican-led majority to elect a Speaker by a majority of Republican state representatives. Take this as a warning. If you’re making deals with Democrats to block a Republican majority-elected speaker, expect a primary challenge,” Paxton said in a statement posted to the social platform X.

The state's top prosecutor plans to begin a statewide tour next week, with visits to “individual state representative districts with incumbents who continue to obstruct a Speaker elected by a majority of Republicans.”

Republican state Reps. David Cook and Dustin Burrows, a top ally to outgoing Speaker Dade Phelan (R), are jostling for the gavel. Cook has been voted as the state House Republicans’ nominee, but Burrows has claimed he has the support to win. 

“Texans deserve leadership that reflects their values. There is still time for these incumbents to make the right decision,” Paxton warned on Tuesday, though his post did not mention Cook by name. Burrows has reportedly secured some support from Democratic lawmakers. 

Phelan survived a bruising primary challenge earlier this year but dropped his bid to hold on to the gavel earlier this month. 

Speaker hopefuls need 76 of the chamber’s 150 votes to win when the Texas House votes on a new leader in mid-January. Republicans hold 88 of those seats, meaning Democrats could be decisive if the GOP divides its vote.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) also hinted at support for Cook in a recent social media post urging that “we need a Texas House Speaker chosen by a majority of Republicans in accordance with the Republican Caucus Rules.”

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) concurred, writing earlier this month that “any Republican Speaker candidate who attempts a coup d'état to steal the Speaker’s gavel with a majority of Democrats and only a handful of Republicans will never be accepted by Republican voters.” 

Donald Trump Jr. has also backed Cook.

Texas Republicans have been roiled by internal turmoil and power struggles within the party in recent years. And state executive officials — including Paxton, who faced an impeachment trial last year — worked to purge the Texas House of fellow Republicans who have defied them.

The Speaker fight is the latest flashpoint in the long-standing friction between the state’s Republican establishment, represented by Phelan, and an ascendant far-right faction, led by Paxton and others.