State Representative Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, appears set to become the next speaker of the Texas House of Representatives after announcing support from 109 members and members-elect. At a press conference on November 12th, he thanked his colleagues for their support and turned his focus toward the upcoming session naming school finance as his top priority.
Bonnen represents the 25th House Legislative District, which covers all of Matagorda County and the southern portion of Brazoria County. He was first elected in 1996 and has since served as chairman of Ways & Means, Sunset Advisory, Land and Resource Management, and Environmental Regulation Committees, and three terms as Speaker Pro Tempore. On Monday, Bonnen stressed unity in the chamber as an emphasis of his leadership:
“Each one of my colleagues who has come forward to run for the Speakership has done so out of deep respect for their constituents, their state, and the legislative body that has afforded us this great honor in the first place. It is a privilege to work alongside so many dedicated House Members, and I am deeply humbled by those who have made the decision to support my candidacy. When the House stands together in unity, we can do great things. I look forward to bringing together my colleagues to continue the tradition of strong bipartisan leadership in the Texas House.”
So far, 109 members and members-elect of the Texas House of Representatives have pledged their support for Representative Bonnen, including:
- Allison, Steve
- Anderson, Doc
- Ashby, Trent
- Bailes, Ernest
- Bell Jr., Cecil
- Bell, Keith
- Bernal, Diego
- Biedermann, Kyle
- Bohac, Dwayne
- Bonnen, Dennis
- Bonnen, Greg
- Bowers, Rhetta
- Buckley, Brad
- Burns, DeWayne
- Burrows, Dustin
- Button, Angie Chen
- Cain, Briscoe
- Canales, Terry
- Capriglione, Giovanni
- Cole, Sheryl
- Coleman, Garnet
- Collier, Nicole
- Cortez, Philip
- Craddick, T om
- Cyrier, John
- Davis, Sarah
- Deshotel, Joe
- Dominguez, Alex
- Dutton Jr., Harold
- Flynn, Dan
- Frank, James
- Frullo, John
- Geren, Charlie
- Gervin-Hawkins, Barbara
- Goldman, Craig
- González, Mary
- Guerra, Bobby
- Guillen, Ryan
- Harless, Sam
- Harris, Cody
- Hefner, Cole
- Herrero, Abel
- Holland, Justin
- Huberty, Dan
- Hunter, Todd
- Johnson, Eric
- Kacal, Kyle
- King, Ken
- King, Phil
- King, Tracy
- Klick, Stephanie
- Krause, Matt
- Kuempel, John
- Lambert, Stan
- Landgraf, Brooks
- Lang, Mike
- Larson, Lyle
- Leach, Jeff
- Leman, Ben
- Longoria, Oscar
- Lozano, J.M.
- Lucio III, Eddie
- Martinez Fischer, Trey
- Martinez, Mando
- Metcalf, Will
- Meyer, Morgan
- Middleton, Mayes
- Miller, Rick
- Minjarez, Ina
- Moody, Joe
- Morrison, Geanie W .
- Murphy, Jim
- Murr, Andrew
- Nevárez, Poncho
- Noble, Candy
- Oliverson, T om
- Pacheco, Leo
- Paddie, Chris
- Parker, Tan
- Patterson, Jared
- Paul, Dennis
- Perez, Mary Ann
- Phelan, Dade
- Price, Four
- Raney, John
- Rodriguez, Eddie
- Rodriguez, Justin
- Rose, T oni
- Sanford, Scott
- Schaefer, Matt
- Shaheen, Matt
- Sheffield, J.D.
- Smith, Reggie
- Smithee, John
- Springer, Drew
- Stephenson, Phil
- Stucky, Lynn
- Swanson, Valoree
- Thierry, Shawn
- Thompson, Ed
- Thompson, Senfronia
- Tinderholt, Tony
- Toth, Steve
- VanDeaver, Gary
- White, James
- Wilson, Terry
- Wray, John
- Zedler, Bill
- Zerwas, John
The GOP Caucus is set to meet on December 1, 2018 to formally solidify the group’s choice for speaker. To officially take the role, Bonnen will need the support of at least 76 members when the House of Representatives votes on the first day of the legislative session on January 8, 2019.