As the race to succeed Dade Phelan as the next Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives heats up, Republican State Representative and Speaker candidate Dustin Burrows has come under attack from liberal Democrats for his leadership on conservative legislation signed into law in recent years.
Democrat State Representative Ana-Maria Ramos, who serves as Chairwoman of the Texas Legislative Progressive Caucus, tweeted an image last week that read, “Dustin Burrows is no different than Donald Trump. Dustin Burrows has championed many of the same proposals in Donald Trump’s Project 2025. Some Democrats are supporting him anyway.”
Ramos also criticized Burrows for his role in helping pass bills banning abortion, allowing police to arrest those who are in Texas illegally, reining in the ability of local governments to pass burdensome ordinances on businesses already regulated by the State, and banning child gender modification.
Two Republicans, Burrows and State Representative David Cook, are currently seeking the Speakership. Ramos has also announced her candidacy for Speaker.
While both Burrows and Cook have solicited support from their Democratic colleagues in their respective campaigns for Speaker, Burrows has said he would not make any concessions to earn votes from Democrats. In an interview with the Texas Tribune last week, Burrows said, “No concessions have been made. That would be illegal, and it’d be unethical, and I would never vote for a speaker who made concessions.”
Scott Braddock of the Quorum Report has also reported that text messages have been sent to Democrat voters across Texas that describe Burrows as a “MAGA Republican” who has supported “indefensible pro-Trump policies.”
Although Burrows initially endorsed Senator Ted Cruz in the 2016 Republican Primary, he quickly embraced Trump and has frequently posted his support of Trump on social media.
Republican State Representative Carl Tepper, who represents Lubbock County alongside Burrows, was the first legislator to publicly declare his support for Burrows’ bid for the Speakership. Tepper, who served as Chairman of the Lubbock County Republican Party and President of the Texas Republican County Chairmen’s Association before being elected to the Texas House, was the first Republican Party official in Texas to endorse Donald Trump in 2015.
Tepper, who also served as Trump’s Texas Statewide Field Director in 2016, told The Texas Voice that Burrows is a steadfast supporter of President Trump and his agenda and was one of the first- if not the first- members of the Texas House to endorse Trump. He also said that after the release of the “Access Hollywood” tape in 2016, when other Republican officials were withdrawing support, Burrows called him to reiterate his endorsement of Trump.
Burrows has consistently posted on social media about his support of Trump.
Among Burrows’ many social media posts supporting Trump, Burrows immediately endorsed Trump in 2019 when he announced that he would seek re-election as President. In a Facebook post on June 19, 2019, Burrows wrote, “Last night in Florida, President Trump announced he will seek a second term:
“Keep America Great,” said Trump. “Well, we’re going to keep on fighting for every man, woman, and child across this great land…and we will indeed Keep America Great better than ever before.”
I fully support another term in office for President Trump.”
After the FBI raided Trump’s residence at Mar-A-Lago in 2022, Burrows strongly condemned the raid.
“The weaponizing of federal agencies to attack political rivals is completely antithetical to our Country’s fundamental principles. I am shocked and disturbed by the raid last night, and expect accountability for those who decided this was an acceptable use of the DOJ & FBI resources,” said Burrows in an August 9, 2022 Facebook post.
Burrows also came to Trump’s defense after Trump was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on criminal charges brought by New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg, comparing the indictments to tactics used by Stalin in Communist Russia.
In a Facebook post on March 30, 2023, Burrows stated, “Trump’s indictment reflects methods Stalin and his Communist Party used to destroy their political opponents.
“Show me the man and I’ll find you the crime”
Lavrentiy Beria
Stalin’s Secret Police Chief”
Burrows maintained his support for Trump during the 2024 election season. When Trump faced challenges from Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, and others, Burrows stuck with Trump.
Ahead of this year’s Iowa Caucus, which was held on January 15, Burrows posted, “Wishing Team Trump the best of luck in tonight’s Iowa Caucus! Let’s Make America Great Again.”
