13 hours ago - Politics

Senfronia Thompson says she has votes to become Texas House speaker

Shafaq Patel

An older woman with gray hair and round black glasses, wearing a pink blouse, navy blazer, pearl necklace and gold earrings, sits at a wooden table gesturing as she speaks. — State Rep. Senfronia Thompson. Photo: Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images

State Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) says she has secured the support she needs to become the next Texas House speaker, putting her on track to make history as the first woman and first Black lawmaker to lead the chamber.

What they're saying: "We are going to be working to resolve the issues, to solve the problems, to take care of the people's business, and not to be bickering and fighting about little wee-wee things that have no place within our legislative process," Thompson, 87, said at the Capitol on Friday.

Catch up quick: Democrats won a majority of the 150-seat chamber in Tuesday's election.

Zoom in: Thompson, who has represented District 141 in northeast Houston since 1973, has drawn support from prominent Houston Democrats, including state Rep. Gene Wu, the House minority leader.

State Rep. Eddie Morales Jr. (D-Eagle Pass) dropped his short-run bid and endorsed Thompson on Friday, saying on X, "I have full confidence that the needs of our rural and border communities will be met under her speakership."
Houston Mayor John Whitmire has also backed her bid, saying it would benefit the city to have a Houstonian leading the House.

What's next: The House will elect its speaker when lawmakers convene in January. Thompson needs a majority of votes for the two-year term.

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Senfronia Thompson says she has votes to become Texas House speaker

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