Thompson says she has votes to become first woman and first Black Texas House speaker

State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, said Friday that she has enough votes to win the Texas House speaker's gavel when the Legislature convenes in January. She did not release a list of supporters or say how many members back her. She said she has enough to reach the 76 votes needed in the 150-member House. Her announcement came hours after state Rep. Eddie Morales Jr., D-Eagle Pass, dropped his bid for the post and endorsed her.

Thompson, 87, would be the first woman and the first Black lawmaker to serve as Texas House speaker. Her bid follows Democratic gains in Tuesday's midterm elections, in which Democrats won every statewide seat on the ballot and their first House majority since 2003. Some races had not yet been officially called. Republican Speaker Dustin Burrows of Lubbock is expected to lose the gavel, according to the reporting.

Thompson said she would appoint members of both parties to chair committees and that the House would not be a "dictatorship" under her leadership. At her news conference, three Republicans attended: state Reps. Drew Darby, Charlie Geren and Todd Hunter.