Ken Paxton Launches Speaker Support Tour in Texas

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated a statewide tour aimed at rallying support for Representative David Cook's bid for Speaker of the Texas House, urging lawmakers to reject moderate candidates linked to Democratic votes. Speaking at a packed event in Fort Worth, Paxton emphasized the importance of electing Cook to ensure that Republican priorities are front and center, claiming that past alliances with Democrats have hindered legislative progress for conservatives. He warned Republican representatives that failure to support Cook could lead to primary challenges in the future. Paxton's efforts coincide with the upcoming legislative session, where the Speaker will be elected, and he hopes to prevent Rep. Dustin Burrows, whom he accuses of collaborating with Democrats, from securing the position. The tour includes stops in key districts and aims to hold accountable those Paxton believes have strayed from conservative principles. Political analysts note that this push underscores a significant shift within the Texas GOP towards a more hardline approach in legislative leadership.