Rep. Dustin Burrows is elected Texas House Speaker, winning with support from Democrats, amid GOP internal tensions.

AUSTIN — The 89th legislative session began Tuesday with members of the Texas House electing Rep. Dustin Burrows as their new speaker after a month-long divisive battle among Republicans. Burrows won the speaker's race by a vote of 85-55.

Lubbock Republican state Rep. Dustin Burrows clinched the Texas House speakership Tuesday with 85 votes in the 150-member chamber.

A leader who learned to keep promises, a chance at chairing committees, and what they see as more chances for a fairer playing field.

Rep. Dustin Burrows, a Lubbock Republican recently selected as speaker of the Texas House, raised more than $750,000 in political contributions in the first two weeks of December. The sum — raised in the final sprint before state lawmakers are barred from fundraising until June 23,

The trial lawyer from Lubbock has served in the House since 2015, slowly building his stature and overcoming a scandal in 2019.

Since then, the vast majority of House speakers have been elected by acclamation or with more than 140 votes. Even Rep. Dade Phelan, whom hard-right Republicans forced from seeking a third term, received 143 votes in 2021 and 145 in 2023.

Lubbock Rep. Dustin Burrows on the House floor shortly after securing votes needed to lead the chamber. Every legislative session, the 150-member Texas House of Representatives votes on which of them will take on the role of House speaker. It’s not just ...

House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, adjourns the House during opening day of the 89th regular session at the Texas Capitol in Austin on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.(Juan Figueroa / Staff ...

Burrows bested challenger David Cook (R-Mansfield) in a runoff vote on the first day of the Texas Legislature in Austin.

AUSTIN — Texas House lawmakers elected Republican Rep. Dustin Burrows as speaker Tuesday, shortly after the Legislature’s 89th regular session began.

Dustin Burrows is elected Speaker of the Texas House, signaling potential bipartisanship in addressing state issues.