February 23, 2026      2:51 PM

Kronberg argues Speaker Burrows' choice to govern by GOP Caucus rather than a bipartisan coalition may empower the Brian Harrisons of the House

And it could spark a speaker’s race: If we get a Paxton vs Talarico matchup at the top of the ticket, national money is sure to pour in, potentially growing a Texas House Democratic Caucus already angry with the speaker who betrayed them after winning the gavel with their votes

So far there have only been three consequential midterm elections in Texas in this century.

In 2008, Obama coattails produced a virtually tied Texas house – 76 Republicans to 74 Democrats. The next session members deposed then-Speaker Tom Craddick and replaced him with Speaker Joe Straus.

Just two years later, the anti-Obama backlash wiped out 36 Democratic incumbents (there were some retirements). Ironically some Democrats were so persuaded that they would gain the 3 seats necessary to win the majority there were speaker “War rooms” to try and collect pledges on election night for Democratic speaker candidates.

In 2018, forces converged yet again.

By Harvey Kronberg

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