Texas GOP’s Hunger Games: The Speaker’s Race Edition

The Republican Party’s greatest enemy? Themselves.

Republicans have long cultivated a reputation for aggression, both in rhetoric and in action. From the horrifying violence of January 6 to countless acts of domestic terrorism over the past decade, the pattern is undeniable. So, it should come as no surprise that this appetite for hostility has turned inward, manifesting as Republican-on-Republican violence in the chaotic spectacle of the Speaker’s race.

With 32 days left until the official start of the 89th Legislative Session, the Speaker’s race is heating up, and Republicans are lashing out in what they do best—violence.

Earlier this week, it was reported that one of Dustin Burrows’ (R-HD83) Republican supporters had been receiving threats of violence from their Republican base.

Burrows condemned what he called “threat and intimidation.” Actions like this should come as a surprise. During the primary season, an Orange County man was arrested for making threats against Speaker Dade Phelan (for being an alleged secret Democrat). Then, several other men were investigated for showing up at Phelan’s home and accosting his wife.

These were Republican voters triggered by the Republican’s rhetoric against other Republicans. Now that Dade Phelan (R-HD21) has stepped down as Speaker and Burrows has stepped up to take his place, the Republican ire is directed at Burrows and his supporters.

The Republican Party of Texas (RPT) has put out an ad against Burrows. Check it out:

How absurd is this situation?

This ad by the RPT highlights the depths of its internal dysfunction. Instead of uniting its party to prepare for the upcoming legislative session, it is pouring resources into smear campaigns against its own members. The ad accuses Burrows of being a “liberal Rhino” and out of touch with the conservative base. This rhetoric fuels the threats and intimidation against him and his supporters. It’s a textbook example of the Republican Party’s self-destructive tendencies—stoking division and inciting their base against anyone who doesn’t toe the increasingly extreme party line.

Meanwhile, protesters showed up at Representative Jeff Leach’s (R-HD67) home last night. Including this guy:

If you live in Collin County or have watched many hearings over the last several legislative sessions, you know this person. He’s a certifiable loon. I have several clips from the Legislature, dating back to 2021, on my Facebook and TikTok of him fearing the loss of Pepé Le Pew and spouting eugenics.

After seeing him so many times, I just added Dueling Banjos to all of the clips with him because it seemed fitting and hilarious.

Not to digress. This guy showed up at Jeff Leach’s home, angry that he’s siding with Dustin Burrows for Speaker. Police were called. A split moment of the interaction between Leach and the Dueling Banjos guy was caught on video:

Videos originated from the alt-right publication Current Revolt.

Here is another video of him leaving, shouting to Leach, “Vote for Cook.” His pickup truck in the background is sporting a giant “True Texas Project” sign, a known white supremacy group.

America is having and has been having for many years a mental health crisis. In Texas, under Republican rule, access to mental health services is nearly non-existent. So, you have the Republican Party of Texas and the Tim Dunn mouthpieces targeting about 30 Republicans with violent rhetoric and propaganda to their base, who we know have a tendency to act out in violence and may not be mentally well.

It’s a recipe for disaster.

But is Burrows really the guy Democrats want?

As this battle has played out, we’ve discussed Burrows’ far-right policy positions and proclivity to fascism. This has been enough for some Democrats to not only say “no” but “hell no” regarding voting him in as Speaker.

Check out this statement from Texas State House Representative Vikki Goodwin (D-HD47), in which she discusses the importance of the Speaker in counterbalancing the Lt. Governor and ensuring democratic processes in the Legislature, particularly amid increasing Republican extremism.

Goodwin criticizes the leading Republican candidates—Dustin Burrows and the so-called “Reform” faction—for their alignment with extreme conservative agendas, such as restrictive abortion laws, school vouchers, and anti-immigration policies. She refuses to support Burrows or any Republican candidates who do not uphold Democratic principles.

Goodwin said she’ll be supporting Ana-Maria Ramos (D-HD102). A few weeks back, it was said in a Progressive Caucus meeting that Ramos would be stepping aside for personal reasons and John Bryant (D-HD114) would be taking her place. Still, Ramos thanked Goodwin for her support on social media, so maybe what we were told a few weeks ago was a mistake.

Regardless, no one in the House currently has 76 votes to become Speaker: not David Cook (R-HD96), not Dustin Burrows, and certainly not Ana-Maria Ramos or John Bryant.

Moreover, David Cook is being touted as the far-right choice for Speaker, but the far-right is also attacking him, as seen in this ad from the Texas Leadership Initiative.

Scott Braddock, editor of the Quorum Report, also discussed the Speaker’s race on his podcast, Texas Take. He shared more information about Dustin Burrows’ background and speculated that a new Republican Speaker candidate could emerge soon. He mentioned the GOP members who could enter the race: Todd Hunter (R-HD32), Drew Darby (R-HD72), Charlie Garen (R-HD99), and Ryan Guillen (R-HD31).

You can hear this episode of Texas Take here.

We’ll save picking them apart until one of them actually announces if they do at all.

I spoke to a Republican insider this week.

I wanted to get their take on the Speaker’s race. Knowing neither Republican has the 76 votes, they also speculated that a new contender might emerge. Then I mentioned, “If they could get the Democratic votes.” They didn’t understand why the Democrats wouldn’t make a deal with someone like Burrows to get concessions.

However, Burrows is not promising them chairmanships; he says he’ll let the body decide its rules. Then, this week, a text message went out in Burrows’ district stating that he’ll pass “universal school choice,” a.k.a. vouchers.

So, if he isn’t going to promise Democratic chairmanships and he won’t promise to block vouchers, why would any Democrat vote for him? He’s the lesser of two evils, and it would keep the Speakership out of the hands of the Tim Dunn crowd, who are promising ultimate destruction. But, other than that? Your guess is as good as mine.

David Cook is now trying to cut a deal with Democrats.

In an email earlier this week, Cook pledged to collaborate with all members of the Texas House, regardless of party affiliation, emphasizing mutual respect and cooperation.

This letter is complete bullshit, as he was chosen by the “Reformers” and signed the “Contract on Texas” for the explicit reason that he will not work with Democrats. Either he’s lying in this letter, or he plans to go back on his promise under the “Contract on Texas.”

Of course, the “Reformers” haven’t attacked him or pulled their support for promising all members will have a voice and a seat at the table, including Democrats. Why? Good question.

The Republican Party infighting isn’t limited to the Texas House.

At the Republican Party of Texas’ quarterly meeting last weekend, General Council Rachel Hooper held an open Executive Session because the RPT members couldn’t keep their mouths shut about what happened in it. So, they opened it up for everyone.

There is no greater enemy to Republicans than other Republicans. They hate each other and don’t make any secret of it. The chaos surrounding the Speaker’s race is a microcosm of the broader dysfunction defining the Republican Party. A party that thrives on sowing division and stoking fear is now reaping what it has sown. The infighting, threats, and outright hostility are not just a problem for Republicans—they are a problem for Texas.

The Republican Party’s greatest enemy is, and always will be, itself. And while they devour one another in their quest for power, the rest of us are left to pick up the pieces. Texans deserve better than this circus.

Democrats face a tough decision: Do they engage in this mess and attempt to secure concessions, or do they hold the line, refusing to compromise with a party that continues to embrace far-right policies and dangerous rhetoric? Whatever happens next, one thing is clear—the dysfunction in the Republican Party isn’t going away, and as long as it persists, the people of Texas will continue to pay the price.

• January 14: The 89th Legislative Session begins.

• March 14: The last day Legislators can file bills.

• June 2: The 89th Legislative Session ends.

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