September 20, 2024      11:42 AM
Roughly 25 or so Republicans show up for Austin area meeting focused on coalescing behind a challenger to Speaker Phelan
The meeting, which Phelan’s operation called “an orchestrated scheme,” started with an announcement that there is to be no audio or video recording of the discussion; with apparently one exception, those in attendance are the same ones who signed the letter opposing Democratic Chairs
Hurriedly
pacing and talking on his cell phone outside the County Line BBQ
in the hills of West Austin on Friday morning, Rep. Mike Schofield was
doing his best to make sure that some of his GOP colleagues would actually show up for a meeting aimed at finding a viable challenger
to Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan.
“You
on your way, Cecil?” Schofield said loudly.
Sure
enough – a few minutes later Rep. Cecile Bell drove up and walked into
the back area of the restaurant with Schofield to join other members and
incoming freshman. With one exception, the members or incoming freshmen seen
entering the meeting around 10am had all signed the
letter earlier in the year pledging to only support a speaker who will ban
Democratic chairmen.
By Scott Braddock
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