Phelan’s GOP Foes Back One Challenger

C APITAL Highlights 

Texas House Republicans who want to oust Speaker Dade Phelan have coalesced behind a single opponent: state Rep. David Cook, RMansfield. A total of 48 representatives are backing the two-term representative, including four who dropped their own bids for speaker.

Phelan’s opponents, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, claim he has given too much power to Democrats by naming some to lead legislative committees.

“This vote highlights the growing momentum for change within the Texas House, as members rally behind a shared vision of a decentralized leadership model that empowers all members,” Cook said in a statement.

Phelan is seeking his third term as speaker after narrowly surviving a challenge for reelection to represent his district in the GOP primary, winning a runoff election.

“Not only are their actions disappointing and unacceptable, they are futile, as I proudly have the clear majority votes needed to be the Speaker today and will have the clear majority support needed to become Speaker again come January,” Phelan said in a statement.

Polls Show Near Tie in Cruz-Allred Race The U.S. Senate race in Texas has tightened, with a poll last week showing Democratic challenger Colin Allred nearly within the margin of error in his race against incumbent Republican Ted Cruz, theAustinAmerican-Statesman reported. A poll released by the Texas Hispanic Policy Foundation shows Cruz ahead of Allred 48% to 45%, nearly within the margin of error of 2.83%.

Cruz is seeking his third term in the Senate. He won his last race against challenger Beto O’ Rourke by just 2.6 points.

The tightening race prompted the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee to announce last week that it is sending millions of advertising dollars to Texas to boost his campaign. The committee plants to put its money toward airing more Allred campaign ads. Committee chair Gary Peters said the Democratic candidate needs more funding to get his message out. “But it is his message,” Peters said. “He knows Texas inside and out.”

Texas Supreme Court Rules on Gun Ban at State Fair 

The State Fair of Texas opened last week with its newly enacted ban on weapons intact after the Texas Supreme Court rejected a challenge by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton just 13 hours earlier. The Statesman reported the court ridiculed the state’s legal arguments in a five-page opinion, with Justice Jimmy Blacklock writing that “the State’s filings do not even attempt to answer” the question at the heart of the case.

Two lower courts also rejected Paxton’s attempt to lift the ban, enacted after three fairgoers were injured in a shooting incident last year.