AUSTIN, Texas — On Friday, Dade Phelan, the Republican speaker of the Texas House, decided to step down from his influential position amid relentless pressure from the party’s hardline faction and outrage over the impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton last year. His departure signifies a win for the increasingly dominant right wing of the GOP, leading to a battle for his successor as Texas Republicans aim to align with the policy agenda of President-elect Donald Trump.
Historically, the Texas House has functioned as a moderate counterbalance even as its members, during Phelan’s term, enacted some of the strictest laws in the nation relating to abortion, immigration, and voting rights. However, the controversy surrounding Paxton’s impeachment dissatisfied many conservatives and drew condemnation from Trump himself, which placed Phelan in a challenging position as he fought to secure his reelection and maintain his grip on one of Texas’s most significant roles.
In a statement, Phelan expressed his belief that stepping aside would provide the best chance for party members to unite behind a new candidate devoted to upholding the principles that make the Texas House a distinguished and thoughtful legislative body. His tenure has reflected wider power dynamics within the party, which saw an increase in its legislative majorities during the November elections.
Although Paxton was acquitted in a subsequent Senate trial, the fallout from the impeachment led to a vigorous campaign by his supporters to unseat Phelan in the Texas primary elections. This challenge, although unsuccessful in the runoff, highlighted the widening influence of the hard-right faction in the state legislature.
The tensions surrounding the speaker’s race escalated following Phelan’s role in Paxton’s impeachment, particularly after the House failed to pass a school voucher bill in the previous year. The pressure on Phelan intensified post-election, as numerous Republicans who ran on platforms opposing him and endorsing school vouchers won their seats, displacing many of his supporters.
Phelan will remain in his position as a representative for Beaumont, Texas, which is located northeast of Houston. Texas has emerged as a leader in conservative legislation for other Republican-led states, and its strategies for border security are likely to be emulated by the incoming Trump administration.
In response to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Texas prohibited nearly all abortions and has similarly criminalized gender-affirming care for transgender minors. In preparation for next year’s legislative session, over 30 anti-LGBTQ bills have already been filed, aiming to impose restrictions on teachings about sexuality, bathroom accessibility, and medical treatments related to transgender individuals.
The Texas House is set to formally elect a new speaker when the legislative session convenes in January.
