Thompson pledges collaborative approach to lead Texas House after securing 76 votes

Seventy-six. That is the number State Representative Senfronia Thompson cited when she formally declared her candidacy for Speaker of the Texas House on Thursday. The Houston Democrat stood before a packed room at the state capitol to announce she had secured the precise majority needed to take control of the chamber when lawmakers return on January 3.

Thompson’s path to the gavel solidified after her primary challenger, Democratic Representative Eddie Morales, abruptly dropped out of the race. Morales subsequently endorsed Thompson, consolidating the party’s support behind the veteran legislator. She has served in the Texas House since 1973, a tenure that makes her the longest-serving woman and the longest-serving African American lawmaker in the state’s history.

“The bottom line is that the majority of the House has pledged to me,” Thompson said to the crowd. Her campaign emphasizes a style of leadership built on collaboration rather than strict party discipline. She described her approach as a rejection of top-down command, arguing that members should focus on delivering results to their constituents rather than engaging in partisan infighting.

“I don't have a dictatorship that I'm going to tell people what to do,” Thompson stated. She outlined her expectation that members represent their districts and work hard to fulfill promises made to voters. Her decades of service in both majority and minority positions serve as the foundation for this pragmatic stance. She noted that when working on specific issues, she looks past party labels to find solutions that benefit Texas.

Support for Thompson has crossed the aisle, though the backing is not universal among Republicans. Representative Pat Curry, a Republican, publicly endorsed the Houston Democrat. Curry described Thompson as the right choice for the state and praised her reputation for fairness. “She is a great lady,” Curry said. However, more conservative members of the party have pushed back against the idea of supporting a Democrat for the top legislative post.

Representative Brent Money and Representative Andy Hopper, both Republicans, used social media to voice their opposition. They argued that no scenario exists where a Republican should vote for a Democratic speaker. Hopper stated clearly that he would not cast a vote for a Democrat in the role. Money echoed this sentiment, noting there is no situation that warrants such a vote. This internal party disagreement highlights the challenge Thompson faces in maintaining a stable majority.

Thompson also addressed her potential working relationship with the executive branch and the state Senate. She maintained that the House must retain its legislative independence while acknowledging the mandate provided by the governor. “The Senate will take care of its business, and the governor will give us a mandate on what she expects that we are able to accomplish,” Thompson explained. She emphasized that the House's primary duty is to do the best job possible for the people of the state.

Thompson currently stands as the only declared candidate for the speakership following Morales’ withdrawal. While other lawmakers may announce their intentions before the official vote, the chamber will not cast its ballots until January 3. If Thompson wins, she will succeed current Speaker Dustin Burrows and make history as the first Black woman to preside over the Texas House.