Good morning,

Yesterday, we asked readers if they thought incumbent House Speaker Dade Phelan would secure the GOP caucus nomination. Find the answers below.

This is the Texas Minute for Constitution Day, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

US Rep. Crockett Called Trump Supporters 'Threats' Ahead of Most Recent Assassination Attempt

• Just hours before the second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life, a Democrat U.S. representative from Texas described Trump supporters as domestic threats. Will Biagini has the story.
       
• Appearing on MSNBC, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) said, "Right now, I feel like MAGA in general, they are threats to us domestically."
       
• Only a few hours after her demonization of Trump supporters, a Democrat named Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, allegedly attempted to assassinate the Republican presidential nominee in Florida. This was the second attempt made on Trump's life since July.
        
• As State Rep. Brian Harrison (R-Midlothian) pointed out on social media, Crockett had tried to deprive Trump of Secret Service protection before the first attempt on his life.

Abbott Declares Venezuelan Gang a 'Foreign Terrorist Organization'

• Yesterday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced plans to deal with the rapidly growing Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua. He designed the gang as a "Foreign Terrorist Organization" under the Texas Government Code. Luca Cacciatore has the details. 
      
• The designation allows state and local authorities to seize the assets of suspected TDA associates. TDA is already listed as a "Transnational Criminal Organization" by federal officials. Abbott said gang members have "been given the green light to shoot law enforcement officers in the United States" by their leaders. 
       
• Texas Border Czar Mike Banks said the nationwide TDA crisis is a "direct result" of the "open border policies" instituted by the Biden-Harris administration.
      
• Most TDA activity in Texas has centered around major metropolitan areas, including Austin, Dallas, Houston, and El Paso.

Drag Queen Flashes Children at Dallas LGBT Event

• A drag queen flashed the audience with artificial breasts and danced sexually on stage in front of children during a Dallas event, reports Emily Medeiros. The incident occurred on Saturday at an event hosted by Texas Latino Pride, which "celebrates the cultural heritage, diversity, and achievements of the Hispanic/Latinx and LGBTQIA+ communities in Texas."
        
• In one video posted by Carlos Turcios of Latinos United for Conservative Action, a drag queen called "Pinkstar" is seen flashing artificial breasts at the audience and twerking while wearing minimal clothing.
     
• This latest event is not the only instance of sexualized performances in front of children. RuPaul’s hyper-sexualized Drag Race Tour was hosted at the Music Hall in Fair Park and allowed children to attend.
       
• A state law passed in 2023 prohibits sexually-oriented performances in front of minors. A federal judge has blocked enforcement of the law at the behest of the American Civil Liberties Union. Attorney General Ken Paxton is fighting the ruling on appeal.

Paxton Blasts Weaponization of Political System on Acquittal Anniversary

• A year after his acquittal by the Texas Senate, Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a statement reflecting on the weaponization of the legal and political systems. Valerie Muñoz has the report.
        
• Before the end of the 2023 legislative session, the Texas House rushed proceedings to impeach Paxton. Months later, the impeachment crumbled in the Senate, with the so-called whistleblowers admitting they had no credible evidence.
       
• "Dade Phelan’s impeachment hoax blocked me from performing my duties, depriving Texas voters of their elected representation because he was paid off by special interests who wanted me out of office," said Paxton, referring to the Speaker of the Texas House.
       
• Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is keeping up pressure on Phelan for refusing to disclose the cost of the impeachment proceedings.
       
• "The Senate spent $435K total for two months of preparation and the trial itself," wrote Patrick in a recent statement. "Dade Phelan has REFUSED to comply with the audit for almost a year now, and apparently, he doesn’t believe he needs to tell taxpayers how much he spent on the impeachment."

RELATED NEWS

• Phelan's public base of support in the House includes Morgan Meyer of Dallas, Keith Bell of Forney, Angie Chen Button of Garland, Brooks Landgraf of Odessa, Jeff Leach of Allen, John Lujan of San Antonio, Will Metcalf of Conroe, Matt Shaheen of Plano, and Gary VanDeaver of New Boston.
      

• In contrast, Phelan already has five declared challengers for the House GOP caucus nomination, as well as a Democrat challenger.

Conservative Leader Awards

• Other groups give out baubles and plaques to politicians… We present engraved swords to grassroots activists! 
   

• The annual Conservative Leader Award highlights the men and women of the grassroots who work to make the Lone Star State shine brighter than ever. They are living examples of effective citizenship, nominated by those who have seen them at work in their community!
       

• Nominations must be submitted before 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 19, 2024. Nominees cannot hold local, state, or federal office.

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Quote-Unquote

"The power under the Constitution will always be with the people."

– George Washington​

Y'All Answered

Last week, State Rep. John Smithee (R-Amarillo) became the fifth Republican to challenge incumbent Speaker Dade Phelan for the GOP caucus nomination. He joins Tom Oliverson of Cypress, Shelby Slawson of Stephenville, James Frank of Wichita Falls, and David Cook of Mansfield. All five previously supported Phelan.

Yesterday, we asked readers if they thought Phelan would secure the GOP caucus nomination before the 2025 legislative session. More than 88 percent of readers think Republicans will go with someone else, while 11.5 percent believe Phelan will remain the speaker.

Here's a sampling of responses from folks after they answered the survey.

• “Dade doesn't have the votes to clinch now (or he would be bragging about it), and that's assuming all the Democrats win their elections in November. They will not.” – Chris Breaux
      

• “I have my doubts that the GOP caucus will do the right thing. I hope they prove me wrong.” – Sharla Miles
      

• “For the sake of Texas and these United States, Phelan must not be speaker nor anyone similar to him.” – Roy Getting
      

• “I am very fearful that corrupt Dade P. will once again bribe his way into leadership of the House. There are too few Representatives with integrity willing to stop him.” – David Leese
       

• “I believe that, after cheating David Covey in the primaries (by getting thousands of Democrats to vote for him), Dade Phelan is going to die a slow and painful political death. I think his punishment is apropos of his crime.” – Julie Chisholm
      

• “I hope he does not even vote for himself.” – Louis Strohacker
       

• “I have personally met Tom Oliverson, Shelby Slawson, and James Frank and I'm convinced there are far better choices to lead the Republican Texas House than Dade Phelan. Every Texas citizen will benefit from a change in leadership.” – Thomas Camardo
       

• “I have lost faith in the Texas House doing anything right, ever again.” – Herbert Richards
      

• “Unfortunately, I believe Texas GOP is as spineless as the DC GOP.  They will go along to get along when there are much better candidates.” – Debra Davis
      

• “In his arrogance, Phelan has yet to acknowledge that a majority of the members view him as damaged goods and believe they will be seen as damaged goods if they vote for him.  His chances of remaining Speaker are slim at best.” – Roger Taylor
      

• “I believe Phelan will keep the Speaker job, but even if he does not, how will anything be different since the others are supporters of him.” – Donald Straley
      

• “Phelan is such a swamp creature, it wouldn't surprise me if he isn't re-elected to Speaker position.” – Cathy Hess
       

• “I’m relatively new to Texas, coming from CA. From what I can deduce from the articles I’ve read, Dade Phelan is worse than a RINO republican. Let’s do our best to put a MAGA Republican in as speaker of the Texas House.” – Randy Schroder
      

• “I believe we will see a new face at the helm of the Texas House of Representatives, but I have to wonder if that person will be a conservative one or will just be a ‘retread.’” – Linda Simcox
       

• “Phelan has a good chance to win, don't underestimate the deep state in Texas.” – Jeff McClarty

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