Texas GOP Chairman Allen West says the party won’t support State Rep. Dade Phelan in his bid for speaker of the Texas House.
The Beaumont Republican has strong support from both parties in the state Legislature’s lower chamber. West sent an email on Monday saying the party won’t support Phelan because of his support from Democrats.
House members will elect the new speaker when the next legislative session starts on January 12th. West is not a member of the Texas House, so he doesn’t have a vote in the matter.