House Speaker Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) announced today that he will not seek another term as speaker in the Texas House, nor will he seek re-election to his seat in House District 25. The announcement follows weeks of controversy after the head of Empower Texans revealed details and later a recording of a private meeting in which the Speaker said unflattering things about fellow House members.
“After much prayer, consultation, and thoughtful consideration with my family, it is clear that I can no longer seek re-election as State Representative of District 25, and subsequently, as Speaker of the House,” Bonnen, said in a statement, which included a list of members that the speaker said “have made clear that it is in the best interest of both myself and the House to move on.”
Because Bonnen did not immediately resign and because a new speaker cannot be selected until the next time the legislature meets, Bonnen will continue to represent HD-25 until a new representative is inaugurated, and will carry out the interim duties of the speaker until the next legislative session.The district, which Bonnen has represented for over two decades, is in southeast Texas and considered solidly Republican. One Republican, emergency room nurse Rhonda Seth, was already running to represent HD-25 before Tuesday.