Beaumont, TX — In a bitterly contested primary for Texas House District 21, David Covey, a staunch conservative backed by high-profile Republicans like Donald Trump, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Governor Greg Abbott, was narrowly defeated by incumbent Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan. Despite a hard-fought campaign and significant support, Covey conceded the race late Tuesday night after the results showed Phelan leading by a slim margin of 366 votes, a difference that could trigger a recount.
Covey, the former Orange County Republican Party chairman, represented the true grassroots conservative movement. He championed the principles of accountability and integrity, directly challenging Phelan’s controversial leadership. Over the past year, Phelan’s decision to back the impeachment of Attorney General Paxton on charges of corruption and bribery caused his popularity to plummet among many Republicans, creating an opening for Covey’s insurgent campaign.
Covey’s challenge was historic. Forcing Phelan into a runoff in March, he garnered more votes than the incumbent, shaking the political establishment. Phelan, who had previously sailed through elections unopposed, faced an unprecedented challenge from a first-time candidate. This race became the most expensive state House contest in Texas history, with Phelan’s campaign spending $3.8 million compared to Covey’s $1.6 million, highlighting the high stakes and intense competition.
The campaign was marked by intense negativity, with Phelan resorting to accusations and aggressive tactics, labeling Covey’s campaign as one based on “lies and deceit.” In contrast, Covey focused on exposing Phelan’s betrayal of conservative values, portraying him as an “Austin swamp creature” who relied on Democratic support to maintain his power.
Despite the defeat, Covey’s campaign underscored the growing influence of the ultraconservative faction within the Texas Republican Party. This group, championed by figures like Patrick and Paxton, rejects compromise and bipartisanship, aiming to steer the party back to its core conservative principles. Covey’s candidacy was a testament to this movement’s strength and its challenge to the traditional party establishment.
In the aftermath, Attorney General Paxton and other conservatives voiced strong disapproval of Phelan’s tactics and leadership. Paxton accused Phelan of “blatantly stealing an election” by courting Democratic votes, and warned that supporting Phelan’s bid for Speaker in 2025 would be political suicide for any Republican House member.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick also criticized Phelan, attributing the loss of many incumbents to Phelan’s concessions to Democrats during the legislative session. Patrick argued that Phelan’s leadership failed to uphold true conservative values, leading to significant electoral defeats and loss of confidence among Republicans.
Phelan’s victory was bolstered by significant support from the business-oriented establishment wing of the party, including high-profile figures like Karl Rove and former officials such as U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Gov. Rick Perry. This faction’s substantial financial contributions highlighted the deep divisions within the party between traditional powerbrokers and the rising conservative insurgency.
The battle for the Speaker’s gavel is far from over. With no public endorsements for Phelan’s potential challengers yet, the political maneuvering will intensify. Republicans like Tom Oliverson of Cypress have already declared their candidacy, setting the stage for a contentious leadership race.
Despite this setback, Covey’s campaign galvanized the conservative base and brought significant attention to the dissatisfaction with Phelan’s leadership. The coming months will determine whether the conservative faction can coalesce around a new leader who truly represents their values and principles, challenging the establishment grip on the Texas House.
Rep. Shelby Slawson, a notable critic of Phelan, summed up the sentiment of many conservatives, arguing that the impeachment debacle and Phelan’s leadership failures necessitate new leadership. Her column calling for change reflects the deep frustration and desire for a return to genuine conservative governance.
As the Texas political landscape continues to evolve, the fight for the soul of the Republican Party remains fierce. Covey’s campaign, though unsuccessful, underscored the enduring power of true conservative values and set the stage for future battles within the party.