A push by Texas’ hard right to widen control in the state Capitol fell short Tuesday after House lawmakers rejected its choice for the powerful speakership amid a Republican feud accelerated by the historic impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton. Instead, new House Speaker Dustin Burrows won the job with the support of Democrats, who favored him over a challenger backed by the GOP’s emboldened right. “The duty bestowed upon me today as Speaker of the Texas House is one of immense responsibility and honor, and I thank each of my colleagues for their trust and vote of confidence. As Speaker, I stand ready to support every member as we collectively navigate the most pressing issues facing Texans today—issues ranging from improving education to providing additional property tax relief, bolstering water resources, fighting for safer communities, and everything in between,” Burrows wrote on X. “While the majority will guide our course, the House’s strength lies in its diversity, and my leadership will be dedicated to ensuring every voice is heard and every district represented this session.” The outcome is a victory for Texas’ shrinking establishment wing, though it’s possible that Democrats could still lose influence under the new leadership. The race deepened divisions within the GOP, partly driven by Republicans who say an agenda that includes some of the toughest laws in the U.S. over abortion and immigration doesn’t go far enough. “He’s a leader who will at least have a conversation,” Democratic state Rep. Toni Rose said in a nomination speech for Burrows. Texas state Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, speaks to his family on the opening day of the 89th Texas Legislative Session in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. Burrows was challenged by state Rep. David Cook, who pledged to block Democrats from running committees in the House — a longstanding, bipartisan tradition in a chamber that has historically been a more moderate balance to the hard-right-leaning Senate. Burrows will lead one of the state’s highest offices after a dramatic bowing-out of the former House speaker, Dade Phelan, who lost favor with the hard-right faction of his party after Paxton’s impeachment. The state Senate ultimately acquitted Paxton, who in recent weeks campaigned against Republicans who sought to deny Cook’s victory. The newly elected speaker has few ideological distinctions between himself and Cook, but his opponent came to be the choice of some Republicans who believe Democrats have too much control over the House. Texas state Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, addresses the members after being named speaker of the house during opening day of the 89th Texas Legislative Session in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. The House’s failure to approve taxpayer funds for private schools in 2023 also intensified Republican squabbles in the run-up to November’s elections, when Republicans expanded their already commanding majority and gained ground on the U.S.-Mexico border. Texas, in recent years, has passed some of the nation’s toughest restrictions on abortion, immigration, and voting. Republicans this year have proposed bans on public funds for gender-affirming care for adults and giving in-state college tuition for students without legal status in the U.S. TEXAS HOUSE SPEAKER Texas Legislature Jan 6 GOP divisions heat up in Texas House speaker race lone star politics Dec 9, 2024 Texas House speaker's race in flux after turbulent weekend lone star politics Dec 8, 2024 Lone Star Politics: Dec. 8, 2024