State Representative Dustin Burrows will sit at the helm of the Texas House after a contentious race to determine who would lead the lower legislative chamber. Burrows' victory marks a devastating blow for GOP frontrunner David Cook (R-Mansfield),

Since then, the vast majority of House speakers have been elected by acclamation or with more than 140 votes. Even Rep. Dade Phelan, whom hard-right Republicans forced from seeking a third term, received 143 votes in 2021 and 145 in 2023.

The trial lawyer from Lubbock has served in the House since 2015, slowly building his stature and overcoming a scandal in 2019.

Texas AG Ken Paxton rallies for Rep. David Cook as Speaker, opposing Rep. Dustin Burrows, amidst GOP division.

The Texas GOP has been divided since the state House impeached Attorney General Ken Paxton, who was acquitted in the Senate.

The Texas House of Representatives elected Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) as its next speaker of the house. The House voted 85-55 in favor of Burrows over Rep. David Cook (R-Mansfield). Nine members did not vote. Burrows' votes came from 46 Democrats and 39 Republicans.

As the new House Speaker Rep. Burrows (R-Lubbock) will have a critical role in deciding the legislative priorities during the new session.

Burrow’s win was an assertion of the chamber’s longstanding independence, and it set up another session of likely clashes with the more partisan Texas Senate.

Dustin Burrows is elected Speaker of the Texas House, signaling potential bipartisanship in addressing state issues.

If Burrows becomes Speaker, Paxton and George warned any Republican who backs Burrows. "If they don't listen, we are going to come back and primary them next session and beat them," Paxton said. George echoed that.

Lubbock Republican state Rep. Dustin Burrows clenched the speakership of the Texas House on Tuesday in the culmination of an unusually long and unusually public mudfight for the role.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who heads the Texas Senate, opposed Burrows’ run for Speaker. He has since released a statement saying both the house and senate are required to pass legislation and he’s “counting” on Burrows to pass conservative legislation.