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

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

If elected, Thompson, 87, would be the first woman and the first Black lawmaker to serve as Texas House speaker. At a Capitol news conference, she was joined by several legislators, including three Republicans: Drew Darby of San Angelo, Charlie Geren of Fort Worth and Todd Hunter of Corpus Christi.

Democrats won the Texas House majority in Tuesday's midterm elections, their first since 2003, according to the report. Some races were still not officially called. Republican Speaker Dustin Burrows of Lubbock currently holds the gavel.

Thompson said the House would not be a "dictatorship" under her leadership and that she would appoint members of both parties to chair committees.