State Rep. Jay Dean vows to fight attempts to kick him off ballot as some Gregg GOP members urge support for Cook as speaker

Key Takeaways:

• Rep. Jay Dean faces criticism for supporting Dustin Burrows over caucus nominee David Cook for House Speaker.
• Some GOP members threaten censure and ballot exclusion, but legal opinions question the validity of such actions.
• Dean vows to fight any illegal attempts to remove him, asserting, “I’ll see you in the courthouse.”
• The speaker race has exposed deep divisions within the Texas Republican Party.
• The debate centers on whether Democrats should be allowed to chair legislative committees, influencing the speaker election.

A Rift in the Texas GOP Over Speaker Race

State Representative Jay Dean, R-Longview, is confronting a wave of criticism from within his own party for his decision to support Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, as the next Speaker of the Texas House. This move goes against the House Republican Caucus’s nomination of Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, intensifying internal GOP tensions just days before legislators cast their votes.

Dean’s Defiance in the Face of Censure Threats

In response to his endorsement of Burrows, five active precinct chairs and two former chairs of the Gregg County Republican Party have accused Dean of disregarding the party’s majority will. In a letter addressed to him, they stated, “We urge you to reconsider your position and join the House Republican Caucus and the Republican Party of Texas in unified support of the only Republican nominee for Speaker.”

Some Republicans have suggested that lawmakers supporting Burrows could face censure and exclusion from future GOP ballots under party rules. Dean, however, remains unshaken. “They want to talk about censuring me to try to keep me off a ballot? I made it very clear, ‘I’ll see you in the courthouse,’” he declared. “It will not be just about a suit against the, for instance, Harrison County party. It’ll be against each and every individual that signed on to an unconstitutional document.”

Legal Questions Surrounding Ballot Exclusion

While discussions of censure continue, legal opinions cast doubt on the feasibility of excluding elected officials from ballots. A law firm in Waco opined that the Texas Election Code “does not permit political parties to restrict ballot access with additional obligations like Rule 44.” Gregg County Republican Party Chairman William McWhorter emphasized that the party would not consider censuring Dean, noting the importance of remaining neutral in the speaker’s race.

Deepening Divisions Within the Party

The speaker race has unveiled significant fractures within the Texas Republican Party. Attorney General Ken Paxton and state GOP Chairman Abraham George have condemned Republicans backing Burrows, accusing them of betraying Republican values and collaborating with Democrats. Paxton warned that Dean and others supporting Burrows should expect challenges in the 2026 primary election.

The Battle Over Committee Chairs

At the heart of the conflict is the debate over whether Democrats should be allowed to chair House legislative committees. Committee chairs wield substantial power over which bills advance to the floor. Cook has pledged to ban Democrats from holding these positions, aligning with the state GOP’s priorities. Burrows, however, believes the decision should be made collectively when legislators convene.

An Unprecedented Speaker Race

Political scientist Mark Jones from Rice University noted the unusual nature of this year’s contest. “This is the first really, truly contested speaker race that we’ve had during the era of Republican control,” he said. Traditionally, the Speaker’s election is a quiet process with a predetermined outcome, but this race has become a focal point for broader ideological battles within the party.

Dean’s Rationale for Supporting Burrows

Despite the backlash, Dean stands by his choice. He cites Burrows’ experience and legislative accomplishments, including efforts to lower property taxes, pass constitutional carry, and restrict abortion. “Burrows understands rural ways of life, has more experience than Cook and would best serve the interests of House District 7,” Dean asserted.

He also expressed concerns about Cook’s past actions as mayor of Mansfield, where Cook voted to ban fracking within city limits—a stance Dean believes is detrimental to East Texas’s oil and gas industry. “We need somebody like that sitting in the speaker’s seat? That’s not advantageous to House District 7,” he said.

Looking Ahead to the Legislative Session

As the legislative session begins on Tuesday, the House will elect a new speaker—a decision that will shape the legislative agenda and test the Republican Party’s unity. The outcome may influence critical issues such as border security, property taxes, and the handling of conservative legislative priorities.

Dean remains committed to his constituents and principles. “I’m glad to agree to disagree with people if we have the opportunity to have a good conversation of the facts,” he said. “But when they want to start talking about—when certain of their memberships also start talking about legal tactics—I’m going to pay attention to that. I’m fighting back with them.”