Ken Paxton Warns Texas GOP Lawmakers Against Collaborating with Democrats in House Speaker Race

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a stern warning to Republican state legislators on New Year’s Eve, urging them not to collaborate with Democrats in the race for Texas House Speaker. A staunch ally of President-elect Donald Trump, Paxton vowed to target any Republican lawmakers who work with Democrats to elect a speaker he does not support.

“Take this as a warning,” Paxton declared in a statement on X. “If you’re making deals with Democrats to block a Republican majority-elected speaker, expect a primary challenge. Texans deserve leadership that reflects their values. There is still time for these incumbents to make the right decision.”

Paxton’s announcement comes amid internal GOP tensions following Republican Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan’s decision to drop out of the race earlier this month. Phelan had faced significant backlash from Paxton and conservative allies after presiding over Paxton’s impeachment proceedings last year, a move that angered much of the far-right base.

In his statement, Paxton emphasized that his planned statewide tour is about ensuring accountability. “Incumbents who made similar ill-fated decisions two years ago, including wrongfully attempting to impeach me, are not returning this legislative session,” he said.

He added that voters expect the Republican-controlled Texas House to elect a speaker “by a majority of Republican state representatives.” Paxton named specific GOP legislators and districts in his statement, directly calling out those he accuses of aligning with Democrats to block a conservative speaker.

This tactic has been viewed as an attempt to consolidate far-right influence within the Texas House, further deepening divisions within the state Republican Party. Paxton’s two-day accountability tour is set to begin on January 6, underscoring his commitment to pressuring GOP lawmakers to fall in line with his vision for party unity.

The Associated Press noted that this latest move is consistent with Paxton’s combative political style, which has defined his tenure as attorney general. With this warning, Paxton aims to maintain the influence of Trump-aligned conservatives in Texas politics while signaling to Republican lawmakers the potential consequences of deviating from far-right priorities.

As the speaker race unfolds, Paxton’s aggressive approach is likely to escalate tensions within the party, reflecting broader ideological battles in state-level GOP politics.