BREAKING: Ken Paxton Throws His Support Behind David Cook In TX Speakership Battle

As the Texas Legislature gears up for its new session, the battle for the speakership of the Texas House has reached a boiling point. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has thrown his political weight behind Representative David Cook, the Republican caucus’s preferred candidate, in a bid to consolidate conservative control and reshape the legislative agenda. In a series of high-profile visits to districts represented by lawmakers not yet aligned with Cook, Paxton has been delivering a pointed warning: support the caucus-backed candidate or face potential political consequences.

Cook secured the party’s caucus nomination last month, signaling an intense desire among Texas Republicans to pivot away from the bipartisan coalitions that have shaped recent legislative sessions. However, he still faces a formidable challenger in Representative Dustin Burrows, a Lubbock Republican whose path to the speakership hinges on attracting Democratic support—a scenario that many conservatives see as a threat to the party’s agenda. The speakership race has revealed deep divisions within the GOP, many of which came to a head during Paxton’s contentious impeachment saga.

In the last election cycle, Paxton actively campaigned against Republican lawmakers who voted to impeach him, further solidifying his influence over the party’s direction. For Cook to win, he will need at least 76 votes when the Texas House convenes next Tuesday, leaving him with little margin for error in the face of internal dissent. According to two political memos, Chairman Abraham George of the Texas GOP has been mobilizing grassroots efforts to ensure Cook’s election.

Texas Governor Greg Abbot endorses Rep. David Cook

The party is organizing bus tours to Austin, where constituents are being encouraged to lobby their representatives directly. The message is clear: conservative Texans want a leadership team that prioritizes Republican principles over bipartisan compromise. The Speaker of the Texas House wields considerable influence over the state’s legislative process, including the decision of whether bills reach the floor for a vote. Paxton has also framed the contest as a matter of transparency and accountability, emphasizing the need for legislative decisions to be made in public view.

“We will find primary opponents for them and beat them,” Paxton declared. “We want Republican representatives to vote with Republicans to elect a Republican speaker so we can get Republican issues done,” he emphasized. Paxton expressed confidence to the gathered crowd, stating, “I really believe that this is going to happen because of you. We’ve never had a room of people like you,” acknowledging the support from the attendees.

Paxton is a prominent conservative in the state and an institution in the capital, serving as the Attorney General of Texas since 2015. A steadfast ally of President-elect Donald Trump, Paxton has been a leading figure in legal battles over immigration, election integrity, and state sovereignty. His tenure has been marked by both staunch advocacy for conservative values and significant controversies, including allegations of misconduct.

In 2023, he faced impeachment by the Texas House of Representatives on charges of bribery and abuse of office, though he was later acquitted by the Texas Senate. Cook voted to impeach Paxton but still maintains his support for speaker. “I’ve talked to Representative Cook. He’s been apologetic and I’m ready to move on with him and support whoever the Republicans are,” Paxton stated.