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The Blast: George threatens bloody GOP primary, part 2 [1]
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Date: 2024-11
Nov 15, 2024 | View in browser
By Renzo Downey and The Texas Tribune Politics Team
22 days until the December Texas House Republican Caucus meeting
60 days until the 89th Legislature convenes
“It’s time for them to go” Republican Party of Texas Chair Abraham George threatened a second round of “bloody” GOP primary infighting come 2026 if there isn’t change in the Texas House.
During a press briefing with reporters yesterday, George said he wants grassroots supporters, donors and the party apparatus to ask state representatives where they stand on the party’s priorities, particularly in the speaker’s race.
“If they support someone who will appoint Democrats to committee chairs — [I’ll] be very frank about it — it’s time for them to go,” George said. “We will definitely try our best to work with them, but we have primaries coming in few months after this, after the session, and I can promise you, if I’m the chair, party will be involved in those.”
Although the Texas GOP has not endorsed anyone in the speaker’s race, featuring incumbent Speaker Dade Phelan and state Rep. David Cook of Mansfield, George has met with Cook, who supports ending the appointment of Democrats as committee chairs. Phelan defended the longstanding practice during an interview with NBC DFW’s Phil Prazan in October.
“We are expecting a real reform in Texas House, and I hope we will get that, because, if not, then the next primary is going to be as bloody as the last one, or worse,” George added. “We don’t want to do that. We would rather fight the Democrats on a regular day.”
In an interview with KXAN’s Ryan Chandler that will air on Sunday, unpaid Phelan staffer Rick Perry dismissed the possibility that Phelan could lose the speakership.
“He’s got the votes to be elected speaker. I’m not concerned about that,” the former governor said.
Unlike Cook, who claims 47 supporters, the speaker will not be publishing a list of supporters, according to Perry.
“I will suggest we’ll just wait until the votes happen and see who was right,” Perry said. “I’m not sure I could pick Representative Cook out of a lineup, but I’m sure he’s a fine young man and I wish him well, but he’s not going to be the speaker when the gavel comes in.”
Cook, who is finishing up his second term, is now 53. For The Blast’s fine young readers keeping score, Perry, 74, was 34 when he was first elected to the Texas House.
Of note to George and strict party adherents who say speaker candidates should win the Republican nomination before soliciting Democratic votes, Perry acknowledged that Phelan’s path to reelection will involve keeping Democratic support, “supplementing with Republicans” (Chandler’s words).
It’s the keeping Democratic support part that’s caught people’s attention this week. On Tuesday, Rep. John Bryant became the second Democrat to jump into the race, a symptom of discontent from some Democrats with Phelan’s leadership. Part of some Democrats’ concerns about Phelan is that he let the education savings account bill go as far as it did last year, putting Democrats’ anti-voucher Republican allies at risk during this year’s primaries.
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After Dulles encounter, McCaul drops Foreign Affairs waiver Two days after U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul apologized for appearing drunk at Dulles International Airport, the Austin congressman says he will not seek a waiver for another term chairing the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
McCaul says he made a mistake when he mixed Ambien and alcohol and became disoriented before a flight two weekends ago. McCaul, a nervous flier, had taken Ambien to help him sleep on his flight, according to a spokesperson.
McCaul chaired the committee this term and was the ranking member the two terms prior, meaning he’s termed out at the end of his six-year stint leading Republicans on the committee under caucus rules. He said he would seek a waiver for an exception in July, but is now backing down.
“I have deep appreciation for my conference’s rules, which allowed me to serve as chairman of both the Homeland Security Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee — two highlights of my career. Out of respect for those rules and a desire to see future leaders rise from our conference, I have decided not to pursue another term as chairman,” McCaul said in a statement to the Tribune.
McCaul has been a voice for Ukraine within a caucus that’s been less warm to supporting them against the Russian invasion. McCaul played a major role in the effort to ban TikTok and held the Biden administration to task for the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
“There is so much talent on my committee, and I look forward to passing the torch to a new chair who will continue to build on the committee’s rich legacy and work to project ‘peace through strength’ around the world,” McCaul added.
Other Texas Republicans on the committee are Reps. Ronny Jackson of Amarillo, Nathaniel Moran of Tyler and Keith Self of McKinney. However, none of them have been named as potential successors.
Texas Reps. move on up U.S. Sen. John Cornyn wasn’t elected majority leader and U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul isn’t going to chair the House Foreign Affairs Committee anymore, but other Texans in Congress are successfully securing other leadership roles on the Hill.
Rep. August Pfluger, R-San Angelo, was elected chair of the Republican Study Committee, beating out Ben Cline of Virginia. The caucus is the largest conservative caucus in the House at more than 150 members and historically has pushed for conservative fiscal and social policy.
Although not officially a member of House leadership, as chair, Pfluger would get a seat at the table — making him one of the best-positioned Texans. He wants the caucus to be the GOP’s conservative conscience.
“As Chairman, I am committed to championing policies that protect our freedoms, ensure national security, and foster economic prosperity for all Americans,” Pfluger said in a statement. “The RSC will continue to be the conservative backbone of the House, pushing for a strong, resilient America that can stand up to both foreign adversaries and domestic challenges.”
Some big names have captained the committee previously. Past chairs include Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana, Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan of Ohio and former Vice President Mike Pence. Past chairs also include Texan former Reps. Bill Flores and Jeb Hensarling and the late Sam Johnson.
Additionally: Rep.-elect Brandon Gill , R-Flower Mound, was elected freshman class president. Gill is succeeding retiring U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess , R-Lewisville.
, R-Flower Mound, was elected freshman class president. Gill is succeeding retiring U.S. Rep. , R-Lewisville. Up-and-coming Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, will challenge incumbent Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, for chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee.
Carl Oscar Sherman receives open-heart surgery Outgoing state Rep. Carl Oscar Sherman, D-DeSoto, says he received open-heart surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota this morning to treat hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, a heart condition with which he was diagnosed about a year ago.
Sherman expects to be back part-time within four weeks and to fully return within two months to end his term in the state House. The 58-year-old gave up his seat when he sought the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate.
HIDDEN IMAGE Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will hold a fundraising reception at The Austin Club on Nov. 21, followed by a fundraiser for the Texas Senate Republican Caucus later that afternoon.
will hold a fundraising reception at The Austin Club on Nov. 21, followed by a fundraiser for the Texas Senate Republican Caucus later that afternoon. The Texas House Democratic Caucus will hold its fundraiser on Dec. 4 in The Austin Club.
The Senate Democratic Caucus will hold its fundraiser at The Austin Club on Dec. 12.
Democrat Nicole Perdue pulled ahead to beat Republican Michael Landrum in the race for district judge in Harris County’s 133rd Judicial District. With the final set of ballots reported, Perdue won by 744 votes out of 1.5 million cast.
HIDDEN IMAGE U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw , R-Humble, wants House Speaker Mike Johnson to create a select committee on Mexican drug cartels in the style of the Select Committee on China. “I lead the House Cartel Task Force. We have solutions. But we don’t have any authority,” Crenshaw posted on social media. “A select committee will have a better chance of moving these bills to the House floor and to a president who will sign them.”
, R-Humble, wants House Speaker to create a select committee on Mexican drug cartels in the style of the Select Committee on China. “I lead the House Cartel Task Force. We have solutions. But we don’t have any authority,” Crenshaw posted on social media. “A select committee will have a better chance of moving these bills to the House floor and to a president who will sign them.” During his media briefing, Republican Party of Texas Chair Abraham George also expressed confidence that the Texas House would pass “school choice,” but he wants to ensure it’s “the right bill.”
also expressed confidence that the Texas House would pass “school choice,” but he wants to ensure it’s “the right bill.” Does TLO need to get with the times?
Join us for “Inside the Interim: A conversation with San Antonio’s state Sen. José Menéndez,” happening in San Antonio and online next Tuesday, Nov. 19.
The Tribune’s politics reporter, James Barragán, will talk with Menéndez about priorities for the 2025 session, housing affordability and what the new makeup of the Texas House means for San Antonio residents and the state’s political landscape.
Doors open at noon for lunch at Alamo Colleges District’s Dr. Bruce Leslie Boardroom in San Antonio, and the hour-long conversation begins at 12:30 p.m.
RSVP today!
HIDDEN IMAGE The Republican Governors Association will hold its annual conference in San Antonio from Sunday to Tuesday.
HIDDEN IMAGE Do you or someone in your office have a new job you’d like mentioned? Email us. Wynn Rosser will be the state’s next commissioner of higher education. Read more from the Tribune’s Kate McGee.
will be the state’s next commissioner of higher education. Read more from the Tribune’s Kate McGee. Melva Gomez , chief of staff to state Rep. Caroline Harris Davila , R-Round Rock, is joining Gov. Greg Abbott ’s legislative affairs team. District director Katharine Chambers has been promoted to chief of staff.
, chief of staff to state Rep. , R-Round Rock, is joining Gov. ’s legislative affairs team. District director has been promoted to chief of staff. The George W. Bush Presidential Center is looking for a successor to president and CEO Kenneth A. Hersch . Hersch joined the Bush Center in 2016 and will stay on until a successor is named and will remain on the organization’s board of directors.
Hersch joined the Bush Center in 2016 and will stay on until a successor is named and will remain on the organization’s board of directors. Kerri Briggs will become the executive director of Educate Texas on Dec. 2.
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HIDDEN IMAGE Good catch by the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s David Dunmoyer: HIDDEN IMAGE
HIDDEN IMAGE Do you or someone in your office have a birthday you’d like mentioned? Email us.
(Nov. 16) U.S. Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Irving
SPONSOR MESSAGES Methodist Healthcare Ministries is committed to health equity—striving to create more fair and just opportunities for all to thrive. Raise Your Hand Texas - Public schools are at the center of our democracy. Raise Your Hand Texas believes through equity and innovation we can create a world-class school system that fuels a brighter future for all Texans. Capital One - Join us for the CCBA Anniversary Luncheon on December 11th! Robert D. Kaplan, bestselling author on Foreign Affairs, will be giving a keynote address on Navigating Change in Complex Environments.
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