Reelected Rep. Dade Phelan Faces Challenges to Maintain Speakership

In a heated primary runoff election, Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan narrowly defeated opponent David Covey to secure his reelection in his southeast Texas district. Despite his victory, Phelan’s hold on his speakership position remains uncertain as political rivals, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, continue to challenge his leadership.

Paxton, who was previously impeached by Phelan, has been vocal in his opposition to the House Speaker, accusing him of using Democrats to secure his reelection. In a bold move, Paxton threatened that representatives who support Phelan for speaker in 2025 will not return, adding a layer of tension to the political landscape.

Phelan, however, remains defiant in the face of these challenges, expressing confidence in his ability to retain his position. “As the speaker of the House, it will be the same Texas House that it’s been for many, many, many years,” Phelan stated.

Despite Phelan’s confidence, some House members, like Dr. Tom Oliverson, are already campaigning to replace him as House speaker in the next legislative session. The upcoming November elections will play a crucial role in determining the future of Phelan’s leadership, as a narrow majority for Republicans could make it difficult to elect a new speaker.

As Phelan shifts his focus to garnering support from House members, the political drama surrounding his speakership continues to unfold. With tensions running high and political alliances shifting, the future of Texas House leadership remains uncertain.