SUMMARY: Three candidates—two Democrats and one Republican—are contesting the Texas House speaker position, currently held by Rep. Dade Phelan. Following recent elections, Republicans have a majority with 88 seats, needing 76 votes to elect a speaker. Key issues include school choice and the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton. Rep. David Cook aims to reform the House and has criticized Phelan’s reliance on Democratic support. Phelan asserts he has sufficient backing to secure reelection. Additionally, Democrats Ana-Maria Ramos and John Bryant have announced their candidacies, focusing on issues like public education, abortion rights, and gun safety reforms.

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SUMMARY: After Republicans dominated statewide races, especially in South Texas, Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa announced plans to resign after 12 years. In the Nov. 5 elections, Hispanic voters in border counties largely supported Republican candidates, including President-elect Trump and Senator Ted Cruz. Hinojosa attributed Trump’s success with Hispanics to frustrations over border security and criticized the Democratic transgender agenda. Some Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, blamed the party’s cultural policies for the shift to the right. Hinojosa apologized for his remarks and called for party unity, but announced his resignation due to the party’s electoral losses.

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SUMMARY: Following a Republican sweep in state legislative seats, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have made school choice and property tax reform top priorities for the upcoming legislative session. School choice, which faced opposition in previous sessions, is expected to pass with the support of newly elected candidates endorsed by Abbott. The proposed legislation includes the creation of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) for 60,000 students and funding increases for teacher salaries. Polls show broad support for school choice across political groups. Patrick is hopeful the governor will declare it an emergency item to fast-track its passage.

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