Rep. Senfronia Thompson, the Houston Democrat seeking to lead the Texas House, said Friday she has the votes to become speaker, and two Fort Worth lawmakers from opposite parties appeared on her side.
Democratic Rep. Ramon Romero was among her early backers, and Republican Rep. Charlie Geren of Fort Worth stood with Thompson at her news conference, the Texas Tribune reported. The Tribune said her list has 90 supporters, eight of them Republicans, and her only declared rival, Rep. Eddie Morales Jr., withdrew and endorsed her.
The full House chooses its speaker when the Legislature convenes in January. The House Republican Caucus has not endorsed anyone, and caucus chair Tom Oliverson told the Tribune he expects most of the caucus to act as "an opposition party next session."
Thompson would be the first woman and first Black speaker. With Democrats Gina Hinojosa and Vikki Goodwin projected to win governor and lieutenant governor, based on race calls, women could hold all three of the state's top posts for the first time.
Our Denton edition has the full story: https://denton.city/article/texas-could-have-its-first-all-female-big-three-as-thompson-says-she-has-votes-for-house-speaker
