House Speaker Dade Phelan’s Victory in GOP Primary Runoff

House Speaker Dade Phelan emerged victorious in a hard-fought GOP primary runoff against former Orange County Republican Party chair David Covey for House District 21. The three-county district along the state’s border with Louisiana saw Phelan secure 50.7% of the vote, with 12,813 votes to Covey’s 12,447.

The campaign, which Phelan described as possibly the most expensive race in Texas legislative history, lasted for over a year and a half. Despite facing endorsements from former President Donald Trump, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in favor of Covey, Phelan managed to secure a comeback victory.

Political consultant Bill Miller noted the significance of Phelan’s win against such formidable opposition, highlighting the efforts made on his behalf. One of the main reasons for the opposition against Phelan was his perceived lack of support for Governor Greg Abbott’s school choice proposals during previous legislative sessions.

Phelan’s victory may impact the passage of school choice legislation in the future, as Governor Abbott indicated that the Texas Legislature now has enough votes to pass such measures. Phelan’s win also signals a return to Austin in 2025, as the Democrats did not field a candidate in the district.

Despite securing another term as state representative, Phelan’s position as speaker of the Texas House is not guaranteed. State Rep. Tom Oliverson of Cypress has already declared his intention to challenge Phelan for the speaker’s gavel, with more contenders expected to enter the fray.

As Phelan prepares for potential challenges ahead, his focus remains on delivering state aid to his district and building on past accomplishments, such as securing funding for local ports, mental health facilities, and reducing community college tuition. With another primary challenge likely on the horizon, Phelan will need to continue showcasing his ability to deliver results for his constituents.