Photo: Getty Images North America
Texas State Rep. Dade Phelan has dropped out of the race for House Speaker ahead of the vote tomorrow.
He said in a statement, "Out of deep respect for this institution and its members, and after careful consideration and private consultation with colleagues, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the race for Speaker of the Texas House."
Phelan has been criticized throughout his career as Speaker for failing to work effectively with both Lt. Governor Dan Patrick in the Senate and for opposing Governor Abbott's long-term push for school choice.
He has also been criticized by conservatives for appointing Democrats to chair key House committees, and for pushing the impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Paxton was later acquitted by the Senate, and since then, Phelan has diligently worked to conceal both the cost of the impeachment and the details of the investigation from taxpayers.
After barely surviving a primary challenge earlier this year, Phelan maintained that he would attempt to hold onto the Speaker's gavel, but as support has grown for his main challenger, David Cook, it has become clear that Phelan has no path to victory.