Fighting to remain Texas House speaker, Dade Phelan names Rick Perry as senior adviser

AUSTIN — Former Gov. Rick Perry will serve as a senior adviser to Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, whose continued leadership of the House is being challenged by three fellow Republicans.
Perry, the longest serving governor in Texas history, will serve in a volunteer capacity until the start of next year’s legislative session on Jan. 14, the speaker’s office announced Thursday.
“From his time as Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Agriculture Commissioner and State Representative, he understands every facet of the legislative process, and that will be a tremendous asset as we work to strengthen our state’s economy, improve education and ensure every member’s voice is heard in the Texas House this session,” Phelan, R-Beaumont, said in a statement.
Perry joins Phelan’s team as the twice-elected speaker faces a difficult battle to remain leader of the Texas House. Three Republicans, running as more-conservative options, have announced bids to replace Phelan, and several other GOP representatives have been testing the waters.
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Selecting a speaker will be among the House’s first duties when the Legislature convenes in January.
Perry campaigned for Phelan in the 2024 Republican primary and runoff as a counterbalance to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Attorney General Ken Paxton, who accused Phelan of being responsible for conservative legislation failing to pass in the House.
Phelan came in second to David Covey – who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, Patrick and Paxton – in the primary but defeated the challenger by 2 points in the May runoff.
Speaking at the Texas Tribune Festival on Thursday, Perry said he is joining Phelan because he believes he can broker less divisive but important issues like mental health for veterans and energy policy.
”Dade asked and I said, ‘Yes, I’ll be happy to help,,’” Perry said. ”I helped in his election. I think he’s a fair and honest broker.”
Perry will advise Phelan heading into the House vote for speaker. Three Republicans – Reps. Tom Oliverson of Cypress, Shelby Slawson of Stephenville and David Cook of Mansfield – are challenging Phelan. All three have said they would end the practice of putting Democrats in charge of legislative committees.
In March, Phelan said he would continue appointing Democrats as committee chairs, arguing it rewards expertise, fosters bipartisanship and helps ensure the Legislature can pass bills.
Phelan’s announcement said Perry would help “foster collaboration with House lawmakers, helping to proactively solicit input and make recommendations for improving House and Speaker’s Office operations for all members.”
Perry joins another recent addition to Phelan’s team. Mike Toomey, a prominent lobbyist who was chief of staff to Perry and Gov. Bill Clements, was named Phelan’s chief of staff last month.
Staff writer Karen Brooks Harper contributed to this report.