The challenger gained only one vote from the two that voted against Phelan two years ago, but drummed up quite the public notice.
Whereas last session members had to vote on proposals to ban Democrats from chairing committees, such record votes were avoided.
The Texas House reelected Phelan as speaker by a vote of 143 to 3.
Phelan faced opposition from Rep. Tony Tinderholt, who objected to his appointment of Democratic committee chairs during the 87th Legislature.
Tarrant County’s representatives in the Texas Legislature have held important chairmanships in past sessions and likely will again.
The ruling comes as the plaintiffs and TEC were engaged in settlement discussions.
This week — Speaker Dade Phelan responds to critics of Democratic committee chair appointments, an election resource will close its doors, and a 2030 redistricting estimate shows congressional gains for Texas.
The issue centers on whether the race for Texas speaker counts as a formal election or an internal House procedure.
This week — 18 Texas legislators members oppose appointing Democratic chairs, an El Paso representative tempers calls for district attorney appointment, and a committee considers changes to the House Rules.
GOP members of the 2023 Texas House voted by secret ballot for their preference to lead the chamber as speaker during the 88th legislative session.
This week — Gov. Greg Abbott makes three appointments to a maligned state agency, a conservative PAC prefaces the 2024 primary fights, and Sen. Dawn Buckingham begins her move into the General Land Office.
After an interim of turnover, the Texas House is set to feature many new faces as Republicans obtained a net gain of two seats.
