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Phelan, a Beaumont Republican, had previously insisted he had enough votes to thwart a challenge from the right led by state Rep. David Cook of Mansfield.

The two-term Republican caught many Capitol observers off guard when he emerged as the standard-bearer for a coalition that wants to depose Phelan and reshape how the House operates.

Phelan appears to lack support from the majority of House Republicans, but he could still win with some Democratic support.

Four GOP state representatives suspended their bids to challenge Phelan and 48 Republicans backed Cook, which could threaten Phelan’s shot at a third term.

Rodríguez Ramos of Richardson faces an uphill battle, as Democrats are the minority party with 64 seats in the 150-member Texas House.

Perry is Texas’ longest-serving governor who also served as a state representative, lieutenant governor and agriculture commissioner.

The Texas House speaker race is becoming increasingly crowded. Phelan, who is under fire from his right, says he plans to seek the leadership position again.

Business-minded Republicans spent millions trying to save Phelan, whose far-right opponent had the backing of Donald Trump, Ken Paxton and Dan Patrick. Phelan won by 366 votes, according to unofficial returns.

Gathering amid depleted finances and spirited infighting, the Texas Republican Party concluded its 2024 convention in San Antonio on Saturday by electing North Texan Abraham George as new party chair.

Senate District 30 and House District 64 have runoffs. Juan Betancourt, a reporter for the Denton Record-Chronicle, covered two seats that have primary runoffs in North Texas.

Phelan placed a close second behind Covey, a former Orange County Republican Party chairman, in the first round of the primary for East Texas’ House District 21 in March.

The Beaumont Republican issued his interim charges even as it remains unclear whether he’ll be reelected.