State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, said Friday that she has enough votes to become Texas House speaker 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 the 76 votes needed to control 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. If elected, Thompson, 87, would be the first woman and the first Black lawmaker to serve as Texas House speaker. She has served in the Legislature since 1973.
Her bid follows Tuesday's midterm elections, in which Democrats won every statewide seat on the ballot and their first House majority since 2003. Republican Speaker Dustin Burrows of Lubbock currently holds the gavel.
Thompson said she would appoint members of both parties to chair committees. "I'm not here to punish anybody," she said.