State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, a Houston Democrat, has formally launched her campaign to become the next Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. Speaking at an announcement at the Texas Capitol, Thompson said, "The bottom line is that the majority of the House has pledged to me." Her bid follows a move by fellow Democratic State Rep. Eddie Morales, who withdrew his own candidacy and endorsed Thompson.
To win the job, which is currently held by Speaker Dustin Burrows, a candidate must receive at least 76 votes in the 150-member House. The vote is scheduled for January 3, when lawmakers convene. Thompson entered the Legislature in 1973. The story reports that she is the longest-serving woman and the longest-serving African American lawmaker in Texas history. If elected, she would be the first Black woman to serve as Texas House Speaker.
Thompson described her approach as collaborative rather than top-down. "I don't have a dictatorship that I'm going to tell people what to do," she said. She added that members would need to represent their districts and deliver on campaign promises, and she said problem-solving should come before party affiliation.