State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, said Friday she has enough votes to win the Texas House speaker's gavel 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, ended his bid and endorsed her. Thompson did not release a list of supporters or say how many members back her. State Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, said her support is growing.
Thompson, 87, said at a Capitol news conference that a majority of the House has pledged to her. If elected, she would be the first woman and the first Black lawmaker to serve as Texas House speaker. Several Republicans attended the event with her.
The bid follows Tuesday's midterm elections, in which Democrats won every statewide seat on the ballot and their first House majority since 2003, according to the report. Democrats were poised to hold more than 80 of the chamber's 150 seats, with some races not yet officially called. The report says the shift makes it likely that Republican Speaker Dustin Burrows of Lubbock will lose the gavel.