Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen announces he will not seek re-election
AUSTIN, Texas - Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen has announced he will not seek re-election.
In a statement, Bonnen said he spoke with Texas House members as well and that they "made clear that it is in the best interest of both myself and the House to move on."
The announcement comes after a controversial recording made over the summer was released recently. In the recording, Bonnen is heard allegedly offering House media credentials to conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan in exchange for Sullivan going after some GOP and Democratic members of the House.
The Texas Rangers are investigating.
Bonnen's full statement on his decision:
"Since Friday, I have had numerous conversations with Members who care deeply about the Texas House, and I respect the manner in which they have handled this entire situation. After much prayer, consultation, and thoughtful consideration with my family, it is clear that I can no longer seek re-election as State Representative of District 25, and subsequently, as Speaker of the House. I care deeply about this body and the work we have accomplished over the years, namely, the outstanding success we achieved in the 86th Legislature. My below colleagues have made clear that it is in the best interest of both myself and the House to move on, and I thank them for the respectful and thoughtful way in which they have convinced me to do so."
The list of colleagues Bonnen says convinced him to make the decision are as follows:
• C Bell
• K Bell
• G Bonnen
• Buckley
• Button
• Cain
• Capriglione
• Craddick
• Cyrier
• Frank
• Geren
• Goldman
• Harless
• Harris
• Hefner
• Holland
• Hunter
• K King
• Klick
• Landgraf
• Lang
• Leach
• Leman
• Lozano
• Metcalf
• Middleton
• Miller
• Morrison
• Murphy
• Oliverson
• Patterson
• Paul
• Phelan
• Sanford
• Shaheen
• Sheffield
• Smith
• Springer
• Swanson
• E Thompson
• White
• Wilson
• Zedler
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