Former Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan announced on Thursday that his decision to drop his bid for another term leading the lower chamber last year was rooted in his disapproval of President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Phelan, a Beaumont Republican who served two terms as speaker, narrowly survived a primary challenge last year from an opponent endorsed by Trump. However, he later declined to seek reelection as speaker amid opposition from within his own party. In August, Phelan also announced he would not run for reelection to his southeast Texas House district.
Earlier this week, Trump posted on Truth Social: “Fortunately for the Great State of Texas, their Former Speaker, who is no longer Speaker, Dade Phelan, is quitting Politics.”
Speaking at a Texas Tribune Festival event on Thursday, Phelan said it wasn’t anything new to have the president come after him.
“That’s fine,” Phelan said. “It’s not a secret I am not a MAGA Republican. I never have been a MAGA Republican. I’m not a Donald Trump guy. Again, it’s the reason I decided not to be speaker again. I could not carry his agenda through the Texas House.”
Phelan described the experience of stepping away from running for office as “phenomenal.” However, he expressed concern for the Republican Party as it heads into the midterms, noting that the party controlling the White House typically does not perform well during these elections.
He pointed out that prices aren’t coming down “regardless of what Mr. Trump says,” and highlighted the looming expiration of Affordable Care Act tax credits, which will cause health care costs to rise next year — a challenge that spells political trouble for his party.
“We’ve got to get a handle on this or we’re going to have a very messy, very messy November of next year,” Phelan said.
https://www.alternet.org/texas-gop-trump/
