Political Experts Say Bonnen Must Regain Republican Trust Following Release of Audio Recording

DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – Political experts are weighing in on the audio recording of Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen’s conversation with activist Michael Quinn Sullivan.

The recording was released Tuesday on WBAP’s Chris Salcedo show.

Sullivan said the recording is proof Bonnen asked him to target certain GOP lawmakers in the 2020 primaries. According to SMU political Science Professor Cal Jillson, the audio will likely damage Bonnen’s relationship with other republicans.

“Even if he retains the Speakership he won’t have the whole fulsome support of his Republican colleagues that he had in his first term,” Jillson said.

On the recording, Bonnen is heard telling Sullivan to “unload” on members he wants to “get rid of.”

“As citizens we expect a little duplicity out of our politicians,” said Jillson. “But they don’t expect it among themselves. They have to be able to trust each other and to act on what they hear.”

The annual Republican retreat is set for Thursday in Austin. Jillson said the way Bonnen is received at the retreat could be indicative of how things could be next legislative session.