The five members who represent El Paso in the Texas House of Representatives backed Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, in his successful bid Monday for speaker of the House.
Burrows defeated Rep. David Cook of Mansfield, 85-55, on the opening day of the 89th Texas Legislature. Burrows’ vote total included 49 Democrats, including the five who represent El Paso – Joe Moody, Mary González, Claudia Ordaz, Vince Perez and Eddie Morales.
“The El Paso delegation is confident that Speaker Burrows will provide a fair and meaningful chance to advance El Paso interests. Recognizing that significant policy differences still exist, however, the delegation will continue to further equality, public education, and opportunity for our community,” the El Paso delegation said in a statement before the vote.
Burrows and Cook are both conservative Republicans, but Burrows had committed to a long tradition of including both parties in legislative leadership. Cook and other conservative Republicans had said the GOP – which holds all statewide elected offices and substantial majorities in both the House and Senate – should exclude Democrats from leadership roles.
The House speaker appoints committee leaders and plays a major role in prioritizing legislation in that chamber.
Backing the winning speaker candidate could enhance the influence of El Paso lawmakers. Moody and González, for example, have a long history of bipartisan success that has led to leadership roles in prior sessions.
At an El Paso Matters forum last week, Moody, González, Perez and state Sen. César Blanco outlined their priorities for the session. They included funding key El Paso projects, increasing funding for schools, and improving access to health care.
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