State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, a Houston Democrat, said Friday that she has enough votes to win the Texas House speaker's post when the Legislature convenes in January. Her announcement came hours after state Rep. Eddie Morales Jr., D-Eagle Pass, her only other competitor for the post, dropped his bid and endorsed her. Thompson did not release a list of supporters or say how many members back her.
Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, described her support as "overwhelming" and said it was growing. Thompson, 87, said at a Capitol news conference that "the majority of the House has pledged to me." If elected, she would be the first woman and the first Black lawmaker to serve as Texas House speaker.
Her bid follows Democrats' wins in Tuesday's midterm elections, in which they won every statewide seat on the ballot. Democrats were poised to control more than 80 of the 150 seats in the House, with some races not yet officially called. That shift all but ensures that Republican Speaker Dustin Burrows of Lubbock will lose the gavel.