Former House Speaker Bemoans Conservative Activists

[Elderberry]

Texas Scorecard by  Daniel Greer   | February 26, 2024

The Texas establishment reels as conservatives remake the GOP.

Recently, disgraced former Republican Speaker of the Texas House Dennis Bonnen and former Democrat Representative Mark Strama had the first in a promised series of sit-downs with Spectrum News.

Each discussed leaving the legislature, growing rancor as the establishment loses control of the Texas Republican Party, and the 2024 primary election.

Exiting with a Bang or a Whimper

On the topic of legislative exits, Bonnen recalled how he was forced to resign after being recorded offering a quid pro quo to the publisher of Texas Scorecard following the 2019 legislative session.

During the Spectrum appearance, Bonnen said the recording impacted him profoundly before recasting the fallout as an “opportunity” to move on after 24 years in public office. He served as Speaker of the House for just one term.

Strama’s exit from the legislature was far less contentious, retiring without scandal after serving from 2005 to 2013. The former lawmaker is well known for being the nephew of Richard ‘Dick’ Trabulsi. Both are Democrats, but the latter has profoundly impacted public policy in Texas as a leader of Texans for Lawsuit Reform.

Now, Strama is the Director of the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life at the University of Texas. Bonnen is a lobbyist.

Struggle within the GOP

On simmering animosity within the GOP, both men agreed that the battle has lately escalated. Bonnen outlined the struggle that’s been waged for years, with conservatives working to dislodge politicians and particularly speakers who impede the march of conservatism in Texas.

For his part, Bonnen insisted that current Speaker Dade Phelan has a solid track record as a Republican and that criticism of the Speaker on a wide range of topics is unfair. During the interview, Bonnen said, “What they’ve been doing to Speaker Phelan is unforgivable. They’re just blatantly lying about the man.”

More: https://texasscorecard.com/state/former-house-speaker-bemoans-conservative-activists/