This town is big enough for the both of us. 

In Washington, D.C., you just don’t vote for the other party’s nominee Speaker of the House.  

Just ask former Rep. James Traficant, a Democrat who voted for Republican Dennis Hastert as Speaker in 2001. Traficant’s fellow Democrats made him a pariah, stripping him of his seniority and committee assignments.  

The message was received loud and clear. Even in the contentious 2023 Speaker election that lasted several days, no member dared reach across the aisle.  

But Texas, as usual, is doing things its own way. Even though Republicans control nearly 60% of the state House, a bipartisan coalition blocked the GOP’s nominee for Speaker. Here’s what happened, and what it means:   

How It Went Down 

In December 2024, Texas Republicans nominated state representative David Cook to be Speaker. It was the culmination of a years-long effort to oust the previous Speaker, whom hardline Republicans saw as “too moderate.” 

Cook became the unofficial leader of that effort last year. And in a bitterly contested December vote, it was made official: Cook would be the Republican nominee for Speaker when the session started in January.  

Just minutes after that vote, another Texas Republican – state rep Dustin Burrows – made a stunning announcement: Burrows, not Cook, would be the next Speaker. 

In a press conference that lasted all of two minutes and caught everyone in the Lone Star State by surprise, Burrows announced that 76 representatives – 38 Republicans, 38 Democrats – would vote for him as the next Speaker. That’s just enough to win. 

In January, when the state House officially voted for Speaker, Burrows did even better than he predicted: he secured 85 votes to Cooks’ 55. In the end, 49 Democrats and 36 Republicans sided with Burrows. 

What It Means 

In his acceptance speech, Speaker Burrows pledged to govern as a true problem solver, taking input from both sides of the aisle.  

“I commit to you today, every member will have a voice,” he said. “Every district will have a seat at the table.” 

“The House is at its best when we’re tackling the problems that are seemingly insurmountable. We do that by building broad coalitions, united by shared values that are bigger and stronger than our geographical or our political differences,” Speaker Burrows added. 

Texas House Democratic leader state representative Gene Wu said the bipartisan vote “is a manifestation of what the public has told us again and again, that they are sick and tired of Democrats versus Republicans and Republicans versus Democrats. They want the problems fixed.”  

Will Speaker Burrows Deliver? 

It’s still early in the term, but Speaker Burrows so far has shown good faith. Especially on education policy.  

The Texas state legislature passed a private school voucher bill, one of the largest “school choice” programs in the country. No Democrats voted for the legislation, which was a top priority for Governor Greg Abbott and his fellow Republicans.  

At the same time, a Democratic-backed bill to increase public school funding passed out of committee and is headed to the House floor for a full vote.  

So far, the Texas state House is proving that reaching across the aisle and being willing to compromise can allow everyone to get what they want. 

Will Washington, D.C. take a page from the Texas playbook?

Looking for the latest in your inbox? Sign up for emails from No Labels.