Texas Rep. Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) has announced he would end his bid for another term as Speaker of the House.
"By stepping aside, I believe we create the best opportunity for our members to rally around a new candidate who will uphold the principles that make our House one of the most exceptional, deliberative legislatives bodies in the country," Phelan wrote in a statement.
He faced opposition from within his own party and some accused him of being too moderate. Rep. David Cook (R-Mansfield), a former ally of Phelan, has garnered more support from Repbulicans since Election Day.
According to the Texas Tribune, Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) could challenge Cook for the speaker's gavel.
Phelan often found himself at odds with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R), who presides over the state Senate, particuarly after the impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R).
"The speaker and his team rammed through the first impeachment of a statewide official in Texas in over 100 years while paying no attention to the precedent that the House set in every other impeachment before," Patrick said at the time.
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