AUSTIN (WBAP/KLIF News) — Texas Republicans are rallying behind their pick for Speaker.
The state’s House Republicans unanimously endorsed State Representative Dennis Bonnen (R- Angleton) as a replacement to Joe Strauss.
The endorsement gives Bonnen more than 100 supporters in the House.
“I trust Dennis to empower the members of the Texas House — the most conservative Republican and the most liberal Democrat — all 150 members to aggressively and passionately represent their districts,” said State Representative Jeff Leach (R-Plano), speaking on WFAA’s Inside Texas Politics. “He’s going to make a great speaker, and I look forward to a very productive legislative session under his leadership.”
Bonnen needs 76 votes on the House floor next month to officially become the Texas Speaker. The 2019 legislative session begins January 8, 2019.