Texas House speaker race

Rep. Ana-María Rodríguez Ramos, D-Richardson, has announced her candidacy for the Texas House Speaker position, inspired by a call to action from Michelle Obama at the National Democratic Convention. Despite Democrats being the minority party in the Texas House, Rodríguez Ramos is optimistic about the possibility of flipping the House in the upcoming elections, emphasizing the need for voter engagement against what she describes as an extremist agenda. Meanwhile, incumbent Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, faces competition from five Republican challengers, including John Smithee, R-Amarillo, who opposes Phelan after supporting Attorney General Ken Paxton's impeachment. Smithee's long tenure and vocal dissent during the impeachment proceedings have garnered him attention and support within the party. The race is expected to showcase the divisions within the Republican party as well as the Democratic challenge to reclaim influence in the House. Rodríguez Ramos vows to foster bipartisan cooperation if elected, contrasting her approach with that of her Republican counterparts.