Phelan vs Covey: a heated race for the House leadership
Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan is facing a tough challenge from David Covey, a former county GOP chairman who has the endorsement of state Attorney General Ken Paxton. The two candidates will compete in a runoff election on May 24, 2024, after neither of them secured more than 50% of the vote in the Republican primary on March 4, 2024.
Phelan, who became the House Speaker in January 2021, is a moderate Republican who has worked with Democrats on issues such as public education, criminal justice reform, and disaster relief. He has the support of most of his House colleagues, as well as Governor Greg Abbott and former President Donald Trump.
Covey, on the other hand, is a conservative activist who has criticized Phelan for being too soft on immigration, abortion, and election integrity. He has the backing of Paxton, who is also facing a tough primary challenge from George P. Bush, the land commissioner and nephew of former President George W. Bush. Paxton has praised Covey for being a “true conservative leader” who will “fight for our values and our constitutional rights”.
Paxton’s role: a controversial figure in Texas politics
Paxton’s involvement in the House Speaker race has raised some eyebrows, as he is the top law enforcement official in the state and has the power to investigate and prosecute lawmakers for corruption or misconduct. Some critics have accused him of trying to influence the House leadership to protect his own interests, as he is facing multiple legal troubles, including a securities fraud case and a whistleblower lawsuit.
Paxton has also been a vocal supporter of Trump and his baseless claims of election fraud. He filed a lawsuit in December 2020, asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the results of the presidential election in four battleground states that Biden won. The lawsuit was rejected by the court, but it earned him the admiration of Trump and his allies, who have rewarded him with endorsements and donations.
Paxton has also clashed with Phelan over the House’s decision to impeach him in February 2021, after he was accused of abusing his office to help a wealthy donor who was under investigation by the FBI. The impeachment process is still ongoing, and it requires the approval of two-thirds of the House members and a majority of the Senate. Phelan has said that he will not interfere with the impeachment proceedings, but he has also defended Paxton’s right to due process and a fair trial.
The stakes: a divided GOP and a changing state
The outcome of the House Speaker race could have significant implications for the future of the Republican Party and the state of Texas. The House Speaker is one of the most powerful positions in the state government, as he or she controls the legislative agenda, appoints committee chairs, and influences the redistricting process.
Phelan and Covey represent two different factions of the GOP: the establishment and the grassroots, the pragmatists and the ideologues, the moderates and the conservatives. The runoff election will test the strength and appeal of each side, as well as the influence of Paxton and Trump in the state politics.
The race also reflects the changing demographics and dynamics of Texas, which is becoming more diverse, urban, and competitive. In the 2020 presidential election, Biden lost to Trump by only 5.6 percentage points, the closest margin since 1996. The Democrats also gained one seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and several seats in the state House and Senate. The 2024 election cycle will be another opportunity for the Democrats to challenge the Republican dominance in the state, especially if they can mobilize the growing Latino and Asian American populations.
The runoff election for the House Speaker will be a preview of the political battles and trends that will shape Texas and the nation in the coming years.
