Burrows directs $10.3 million to Texas House races

Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows has distributed approximately $10.3 million to 38 Republican candidates in the current general election cycle. The funds, drawn from his leadership PAC, Texas Conservative Majority, cover direct contributions, canvassing, polling, and advertising. This expenditure represents the most visible and costly effort by a sitting speaker to defend a chamber majority in recent years.

The spending comes with a state House control in play during next week’s midterm elections. Republicans have held a majority in the lower chamber since 2003. They currently occupy 86 of 150 seats, while Democrats hold 62 seats with two vacancies in districts that previously favored the GOP. Democrats must flip 14 seats to retake control of the chamber.

Burrows convened a strategic summit for Republican nominees in early June at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown. Attendees reported that the speaker instructed candidates to treat every race as competitive, regardless of historical margins. He urged incumbents to run aggressive campaigns rather than assuming safe wins.

Republican strategists noted that the speaker’s office has taken a hands-on approach to campaign management. The operation has assisted candidates with messaging, budget management, and field operations. The group has polled districts that historically lean heavily Republican to assess voter sentiment.

Enrique Marquez, former chief of staff to House Speaker Dade Phelan, described the current effort as more coordinated than the 2018 midterm cycle. He stated that the Burrows apparatus has utilized data-driven strategies and provided substantial financial support to candidates. This approach aims to counter the political environment driven by President Donald Trump’s low approval ratings.

The financial support has targeted districts with varying degrees of competitiveness. Contributions have gone to candidates in districts that voted for Trump in 2024 by margins ranging from one percentage point to 35 points. State Rep. Candy Noble, whose Collin County district supported Trump by 17 points, received over $205,000 from the PAC. State Rep. Brad Buckley, whose Bell County district broke for Trump by a similar margin, received $384,000.

Beyond monetary contributions, Burrows launched a bus tour known as the Speaker’s Strike Force when early voting began last week. The tour visits more than two dozen House districts to support get-out-the-vote efforts. This activity coincides with increased fundraising by incumbents in traditionally safe seats. State Reps. Ben Bumgarner and Jeff Leach, for example, more than doubled their fundraising totals in the most recent reporting period.

Democrats are targeting suburbs in large metropolitan areas and South Texas for gains. State Rep. Christina Morales, chair of the House Democrats’ campaign arm, said her party expects to win between five and eight seats under conservative estimates. National Democrats are aiming for 12 flips, which would leave Republicans with a two-seat majority. Morales stated that the party aims to flip the chamber, leveraging a political environment she described as favorable.

The size of the Republican margin will influence the scope of conservative policy initiatives in the upcoming legislative session. It will also determine the stability of Burrows’ position as speaker. A thin majority could invite a challenge from a more moderate Republican, a scenario that occurred after the 2008 election. Burrows spokesperson Kim Carmichael stated that the speaker believes supporting member campaigns is a fundamental responsibility regardless of the political climate.