The Texas House Speaker, Dade Phelan, successfully secured renomination in a runoff election on Tuesday, overcoming a fierce challenge from a first-time candidate supported by former President Donald J. Trump and his Texas allies. The contentious race took place in a district in southeast Texas, including part of Beaumont, and involved significant financial backing, making it one of the costliest campaigns for a Texas House seat.
Both candidates received substantial contributions during the primary, with prominent donors supporting each side. Despite trailing in the initial round of voting, Mr. Phelan managed to rally his supporters and donors, ultimately outpacing his opponent in fundraising leading up to the runoff.
Following his defeat, Mr. Covey expressed gratitude to his supporters in Orange, Texas, highlighting the impact of his campaign. Meanwhile, Mr. Phelan declared victory in Beaumont, denouncing the tactics used against him as based on falsehoods and deception.
The close competition faced by Mr. Phelan, who had not encountered opposition in over a decade, is expected to have implications within Republican circles. Criticisms of his perceived lack of conservatism, including his support for bipartisan committee leadership, underscored the divide within the party.
The push to remove Mr. Phelan reflected a broader effort by the hard-right faction of the Republican Party, aligned with figures such as Ken Paxton and Dan Patrick, to reshape the Texas House in a more conservative image. Conversely, established party members, including former Governor Rick Perry, rallied behind Mr. Phelan in defense of his leadership.
While Mr. Phelan is poised for reelection in November in his heavily Republican district, his future as speaker remains uncertain. Potential replacements have already been suggested by some Republican representatives, setting the stage for a potential power struggle in the Texas House.
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