The fallout continues after the Texas GOP opted to censure only 5 members, while deciding against censuring 5 others, including House Speaker Dustin Burrows.
"That's why I did the motion to vacate speaker Burrows" said Republican state representative, Brian Harrison, "The House leadership team is corrupt, they cut a deal with the Democrats to empower themselves, and to advance a liberal Democrat -big government agenda."
The State Republican Executive Committee voted to censure State Reps Dade Phelan, Angelia Orr, Jared Patterson, Stan Lambert, and Gary VanDeaver.
As noted by Brandon Waltens at Texas Scorecard, under Rule 44, local party committees may censure a Republican officeholder who has taken three or more actions in opposition to the party’s principles or legislative priorities. If such a resolution is sent to the SREC, the state committee may, by a three-fifths vote, impose penalties.
"There were 30-something Republicans who cheated, and who helped our so-called Republican speaker betray the voters of Texas" Harrison told KTRH.
The committee also failed to invoke the “ballot ban” option approved by delegates at last year’s convention, which would have removed any incumbent from the primary ballot in 2026.
"Republicans across Texas have every right to be not just angry but furious" noted Harrison, "If you're going to say you are a Republican in Texas, that needs to mean something and there absolutely should be very real consequences for these so-called fake Republicans who are selling out the very voters that put them into office."
Now it's going to be up to those same voters to make sure that this doesn't happen again in 2027.