Texas Republicans censure House Speaker Dade Phelan

The Texas GOP censured the speaker of its state House of Representatives Saturday, Rep. Dade Phelan (R), after he voted to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), according to a press release.

“The Republican Party of Texas officially censured Representative Dade Phelan today, imposing the full set of penalties allowed by the rules, for lack of fidelity to Republican principles and priorities,” the release by the Lone Star State’s Republican Party read. “Rule 44 of the Republican Party of Texas allows the party to censure elected officials who violate Republican Party of Texas principles and priorities three times or more in a given biennium.”

“The censure of Rep. Phelan details five such instances on issues such as the impeachment of [Attorney General Ken Paxton (R)], Democrat Committee Chairs, border security, and educational freedom,” the release continued.

The Texas House voted to impeach Paxton back in May of last year, after a House investigative committee recommended his impeachment, finding the attorney general had “used, misused, or failed to use his official powers in a manner calculated to subvert the lawful operation of the government.” Phelan stood by the impeachment of Paxton and was one of 60 Republicans in the Lone Star State’s House to vote to impeach him.

According to the Texas GOP release, the original censure resolution was first passed by the Jasper County Republican Party, and needed a three-fifths vote to pass the state’s Republican Executive Committee. The final vote total was 55 in favor and four opposed, with four abstentions.

Former President Trump endorsed a primary challenger to Phelan last month, specifically pointing out the Texas House Speaker’s role in Paxton’s impeachment.

“David Covey is running against Dade Phelan, the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, who led the Fraudulent Impeachment of the recently re-elected, in a landslide, Attorney General of Texas, Ken Paxton,” Trump wrote on social media.

“David is an America First Conservative who will Secure the Border, Restore Election Integrity, Protect our Families and Military/Vets, and Defend our under siege Second Amendment,” he continued.