Bastrop County Texas is part of Texas House District 17, represented by Stan Gerdes. He has served one full two-year term in the Texas House and is now serving his second term. Gerdes had a challenger in the 2024 primary race, and it took almost a million dollars for him to defeat that challenger. A Texas House member is paid $7200 per year plus a per diem for each day they are in Austin during session(s). One needs to ask why raise so much money, and from whom, for a job that pays so little. And, when PACs (Political Action Committees) put that much money behind a candidate, what votes do they expect in return? Most voters don’t know anything about a candidate except what their literature says during election season or what they read in newspapers or on social sites. This blog is an effort to track our representative to keep voters informed throughout the coming legislative session.
Gerdes Vote Record
- TWENTY-SECOND DAY — WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2025
- BILL REFERRALS ONLY: HB 796 (By C. Bell, Spiller, and Gerdes), Relating to the Texas Sovereignty Act to State Affairs; HCR 40 (By Gerdes), Urging Congress to reimburse the State of Texas for border security costs incurred under Operation Lone Star to Homeland Security, Public Safety, and Veterans ’Affairs.
- SIXTEENTH DAY — WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2025
- SCR 16, Granting the legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days during the period beginning Thursday, February 20, 2025, and ending Tuesday, February 25, 2025.
SCR 16 was adopted by (Record 26): 118 Yeas, 21 Nays, 2 Present, not voting. Gerdes voted YEA. - THIRTEENTH DAY — WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2025
- SCR 14, Granting the legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days during the period beginning Thursday, February 13, 2025, and ending Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
SCR 14 was adopted by (Record 22): 127 Yeas, 21 Nays, 1 Present, not voting. Gerdes voted YEA. - TWELFTH DAY — TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2025
- HCR 5, Inviting the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Texas to address a joint session of the legislature on February 26, 2025.
HCR 5 was adopted by (Record 20): 148 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Present, not voting. Gerdes voted YEA. - NINTH DAY — TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2025
- SCR 11, Granting the legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days during the period beginning on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, and ending on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.
SCR 11 was adopted by (Record 16): 123 Yeas, 18 Nays, 1 Present, not voting. Gerdes voted YEA. - SIXTH DAY — MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2025
- HCR 54, Authorizing the legislature to adjourn for more than three days during the period beginning on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, and ending on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.
HCR 54 was adopted by (Record 12): 116 Yeas, 25 Nays, 1 Present, not voting. Gerdes voted YEA. - FIFTH DAY — THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2025
- HR 4, BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the State of Texas, That the following are adopted as the permanent rules of the House of Representatives of the 89th Legislature.
HR 4 – MOTION FOR THE PREVIOUS QUESTION
Representative Patterson moved the previous question on adoption of HR 4. The motion was seconded by 88 representatives, including Stan Gerdes. [This required a minimum of 25 seconders which were clearly arranged in advance. This ended all debate on the House Rules. This prohibited any amendments to the House Rules as moved.]
The motion for the previous question prevailed by (Record 9): 107 Yeas, 35 Nays, 1 Present, not voting. Gerdes voted YEA.
HR 4 was adopted by (Record 10): 116 Yeas, 23 Nays, 1 Present, not voting. Gerdes voted YEA. - SECOND DAY — WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2025
- SCR 7, Granting the legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days during the period beginning on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, and ending on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.
SCR 7 was adopted by (Record 5): 129 Yeas, 19 Nays, 1 Present, not voting. Gerdes voted YEA. - FIRST DAY — TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2025
- HR 1, BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the State of Texas, that, in accordance with Sections 9(b) and 11, Article III, Texas Constitution, the House of Representatives of the 89th Legislature shall elect a speaker of the house from its own membership.
HR 1 was adopted by (Record 1): 145 Yeas, 5 Nays, 0 Present, not voting. Gerdes voted YEA. - Nominations for Speaker of the Texas House First Round, The nomination of the Honorable David Cook, the Honorable Ana-María Rodríguez Ramos, and the Honorable Dustin Burrows were seconded. Gerdes voted for Dustin Burrows for Speaker.
- Nominations for Speaker of the Texas House Runoff, between the Honorable David Cook and the Honorable Dustin Burrows. Gerdes voted for Dustin Burrows for Speaker.
- VOTES OR MOTIONS HONORARY OR CONGRATULATORY
- Caldwell County Day at the State Capitol, League of Women Voters of Collin County Day at the State Capitol, Lee County Day at the State Capitol, Bastrop County Day at the State Capitol, Texas Energy Day at the State Capitol
Texas GOP Priorities & Gerdes Vote Record
Key to the success of the 89th Legislative Session is getting good bills passed that reflect the TexasGOP Legislative Priorities as approved by the delegates at the last Convention. It doesn’t do any good to pass watered-down bills, or bills that have a subject we like but the body of the bill is garbage. We need bills with teeth, bills that protect our rights as citizens, bills that make our government smaller and increase our freedoms.
More and more bills are introduced each session. It can make your head swim to try to figure out what’s what. We use the best resources we can find. Here are a few:
- Republican Party of Texas’ 89th Session Bill List. This includes a list, by Legislative Priority, of good bills and bad bills.
- Click on the Legislative Priority that most interests you. Start working your way down the list. Click the bill number and you’ll connect with a screen that looks like this. Click on text and you can read the bill. You’ll see the author and subject matter. At the bottom, you’ll see the last action.
- Also using Texas Legislature Online, from the Home page, you can search on the name of a legislator in either the House or Senate. We’ll click in the left column on Texas House, Members, Gerdes. At the bottom of that page, you’ll see Legislative Information. Click on “Bills Authored“. You’ll see all the bills, with numbers and subjects, that have been authored by Stan Gerdes.
Check also “Bills Coauthored“. In Gerdes’ case, there is a bill supporting an Article V Convention of States that he did not author, but has added his name as a co-author. Thus, it shows up on the co-author list, but not the author list. - There is an actual website for the Texas House which includes different information: office address in district and in the TX House building, a profile of the district, committee appointments and a photo of the member.
- It’s tedious to find out how a legislator voted. The minutes of full Texas House sessions are called Journals. Journals are by date. If you’re looking for Stan Gerdes’ votes on particular legislation, go to How To View Votes . Key in the bill number. Be sure you’re on the 89th Legislature and click Go. If there have been votes, you’ll see a screen like this. Votes are highlighted in yellow. You can click on Record Vote to see how members voted. The key is knowing the legislation number.
If you’re looking for committee votes, you must go to either House or Senate Committees, choose the committee and there you’ll find links to minutes, witnesses and their testimony, as well as votes. Gerdes is on Calendars, Energy Resources and Licensing & Administrative Procedures.
Censure
There is a lot of discussion around RPT Rule 44 regarding censurable acts by elected officials. In December, the Bastrop County Republican Party passed a resolution directed at HD17 Rep Stan Gerdes as he had refused to agree to support GOP Caucus choice for chair, David Cook. It laid out what actions in the opening sessions would be viewed as censurable.
A County or District Executive Committee may, after no less than seven (7) days’ notice and invitation to the Officeholder to appear and be provided time to speak before a County or District Executive Committee, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those constituent Executive Committee Precinct Chairs present and voting, but in no case by less than a majority of the County Executive Committee (CEC) in full, adopt a resolution censuring a Republican public Officeholder representing all or a portion of that County or District for three (3) or more actions taken during the Officeholder’s current term in opposition to the core principles of the Republican Party of Texas defined in the Preamble of the Party Platform as described in Rule No. 43A or to the Legislative Priorities adopted at the most recent State Convention as described in Rule No. 34(c).
So what is the Preamble of the Party Platform, and what are the Legislative Priorities that apply to censure during this legislative session?
PREAMBLE: Affirming our belief in God, we still hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Throughout the world, people dare to dream of freedom and opportunity. The Republican Party of Texas unequivocally defends that dream. We strive to preserve the freedom given to us by God, implemented by our Founding Fathers, and embodied in the Constitution. We recognize that human nature is immutable. We further recognize that the traditional family is the strength of our nation. It is our solemn duty to protect innocent life and develop responsible citizens. We understand that our economic success depends upon free market principles. If we fail to maintain our sovereignty, we risk losing the freedom to live these ideals.
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES: (For details on each topic, visit this link: https://texasgop.org/official-documents/#lps
- Border Enforcement
- Secure Texas Elections
- Stop Sexualizing Texas’ Kids
- No Democrat Chairs
- Ban Taxpayer Funded Lobbying
- Secure the Electric Grid
- Texas Is Not For Sale
- End Federal Overreach
At this point, it appears that Stan Gerdes has committed a censurable act in not supporting the GOP Caucus choice for TX House Speaker. Instead, Gerdes joined with the Democrats in supporting Dustin Burrows.
Secondly, Stan Gerdes voted for Democrat chairs of committees when he voted for the House Rules package. That package created twelve new “Standing Permanent Subcommittees” and on February 13, 2025, Dustin Burrows appointed six Democrats as chairs of those committees. Because the House Rules package gives the Speaker the right to send bills directly to those subcommittees, thus giving the subcommittees the right to kill bills, we view that vote as censurable.
Anyone can track votes in the Texas Legislature by visiting Capitol.Texas.gov. Signing up with a username and password so you can get customized notifications direct to your inbox.
Guest Commentary
Published: February 5, 2025
Authors: Republican Chair Curtis Courtney & Precinct Chair Doug Kelsey
Since the days of Noah (or at least just after the Civil War), Texas was run by Democrats. Abraham Lincoln was the first Republican president and thus the states of the south consistently selected Democrat representatives and executive leaders. Texas was part of the “Solid South”, a Democrat stronghold. That changed starting in the early 1990’s and was evident in the mid 1990’s when George Bush was elected Republican Governor. The Texas House and Senate both transitioned to a majority Republican in the 78th Congressional session in 2003. By the early 2010’s Texas was solidly Republican. Many politicians that had long ran as Democrats transitioned to running as Republicans. Some were truly conservative and aligned with Republican values but many simply found it expedient to change color of their coat to maintain power.
During this transition House Speakers, starting most notably with Speaker Straus, appointed Democrats as chairs of Committees. But as Republicans grew in numbers and power, subsequent speakers did not diminish the number of Democrat chairs. This caused a rift between the Republican voters and their elected legislators.
Q: What defines a Republican versus a Democrat? A: Their Party Platform and the resulting Legislative Priorities.
Things came to a head when the speaker of the 88th TX House, Dade Phelan, not only appointed Democrat chairs but actively fought legislative priorities of the Republican Party of Texas (RPT), Governor Abbott and Lt. Gov Patrick. He also led a Democrat inspired “lawfare” campaign against Attorney General Ken Paxton which included sneaky moves in changing the impeachment rules at the start at the 88th Session. The 88th Legislature was called back not once, not twice, but an unprecedented third time to work the key priorities of the Governor. Under Speaker Phelan and his Democrat chairs, they successfully avoided addressing these priorities. As a result, the average Republican voter became livid and outraged because nothing important was getting done.
This long history lead delegates of the RPT State convention to change RPT rules so they could be used to force the Republican house members to support the Legislative Priorities. The rules were changed to allow censure which is the threat of not allowing a representative to run as a Republican.
In order for the 89th Legislature to implement the Legislative Priorities, the House Republicans, wishing to exert their majority and the desire to align with the Legislative Priorities, held a caucus on December 7, 2024 to select a speaker who would not appoint Democrat chairs. Of the 88 Republican house members that were there to start the Caucus, 26 elected Republicans, including Stan Gerdes, walked out of that Caucus meeting before it was concluded and a Speaker selected.
The Bastrop County Republican Party (BCRP) held a meeting on December 21, 2024 to discuss the actions of our Representative, Stan Gerdes, who was one of the 26 elected representatives who walked out on the Republican Caucus. The BCRP examined the options open to them. A committee was directed to articulate our response to his actions. The BCRP reconvened on December 30, 2024 and approved the response which came in the form of a resolution condemning his actions and reminded him of his obligation as a Republican Representative. To read the full resolution, click here
Guest Commentary
Bills Authored by Stan Gerdes
This is the list of bills authored by Stan Gerdes as of February 23, 2025. He has not sponsored or co-sponsored any bills. None of these have been assigned to committees. Only bills honoring counties in his district have been “enrolled” (finally passed). Click the bill number and then, once there, click the text tab to read the bill. It can be opened or downloaded as a PDF, HTML, or MS Word. You can comment on these bills by messaging Stan Gerdes from his official website.
Number of Bills: 50 Report Sections: Author (46) Coauthor (2):
| HB 1335 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 11/14/2024 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to underground facility safety. |
| HB 1431 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 11/20/2024 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to the prohibited manufacture, processing, possession, distribution, offer for sale, and sale of cell-cultured protein. |
| HB 1521 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 12/04/2024 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to the implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives by certain governmental entities. |
| HB 1522 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 12/04/2024 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to notice of a meeting held under the open meetings law. |
| HB 1523 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 12/05/2024 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to a prohibition on the authorization by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of the use of a Class V injection well for certain aquifer storage and recovery projects. |
| HB 1589 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 12/11/2024 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to requiring voter approval for the construction of a new toll project by a toll project entity. |
| HB 1633 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 12/16/2024 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to the criteria considered by groundwater conservation districts before granting or denying a permit or permit amendment. |
| HB 1668 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 12/18/2024 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for the offense of enticing a child and to the applicability of sex offender registration requirements to that offense. |
| HB 1689 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 12/20/2024 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to the use of certain groundwater export fees collected by a groundwater conservation district. |
| HB 1690 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 12/20/2024 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to an application for a permit for the transfer of groundwater out of a groundwater conservation district. |
| HB 1789 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 01/08/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to enhancing the criminal penalty for the offense of intoxication manslaughter in certain circumstances. |
| HB 1832 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 01/14/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to the punishment for certain criminal offenses involving illegal entry into or illegal presence in this state by a person who is an alien; increasing criminal penalties. |
| HB 1928 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 01/16/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to the payment of certain costs associated with certain assignments of a statutory probate court judge. |
| HB 2017 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 01/22/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to increasing the minimum term of imprisonment and changing the eligibility for community supervision, mandatory supervision, and parole for certain persons convicted of intoxication manslaughter. |
| HB 2034 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 01/23/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to the issuance of groundwater permits to certain aliens or foreign entities. |
| HB 2077 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 01/24/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to persons eligible to appeal the desired future conditions adopted by a groundwater conservation district. |
| HB 2078 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 01/24/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to the joint planning of desired future conditions in groundwater management areas. |
| HB 2080 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 01/24/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to the review of the duties of a groundwater conservation district by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. |
| HB 2302 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 01/31/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to the definition of a rural political subdivision for purposes of the Texas Water Assistance Program. |
| HCR 40 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 01/08/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Urging Congress to reimburse the State of Texas for border security costs incurred under Operation Lone Star. |
| HB 2316 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 01/31/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to the manner of reporting results in the conduct of elections. |
| HB 2499 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 02/05/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to placement on the minimum salary schedule for certain public school employees. |
| HB 2545 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 02/06/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to the establishment of the Rural Workforce Training Grant Program. |
| HB 2605 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 02/10/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to water losses reported by certain municipally owned utilities to the Texas Water Development Board; authorizing administrative penalties. |
| HB 2815 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 02/13/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to the financing of water supply projects included in the state water plan; authorizing the issuance of obligations. |
| HB 2876 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 02/14/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to the amendment of an existing comprehensive development agreement for a portion of State Highway 130 to facilitate nontolled transportation projects. |
| HB 2885 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 02/14/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to allowing the governing bodies of certain political subdivisions to call for a local option election relating to the sale of alcoholic beverages. |
| HB 2955 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 02/18/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to prohibiting the purchase of candy and soft drinks under the supplemental nutrition assistance program. |
| HB 3045 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 02/19/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to a franchise tax exemption for corporations operating a spaceport for certain national defense purposes. |
| HB 3092 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 02/20/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to a certificate of public convenience and necessity to construct an electric transmission line. |
| HB 3099 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 02/20/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to adult high school charter program funding. |
| HB 3227 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 02/24/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to the removal, relocation, alteration, or construction of certain monuments or memorials located on public property; authorizing a civil penalty. |
| HB 3350 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 02/25/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to vacancies on the board of directors of the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District. |
| HB 3368 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 02/26/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to the repeal of wheelbase and horsepower restrictions for the state’s passenger vehicle fleet. |
| HB 3422 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 02/26/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to the removal of battery energy storage facilities. |
| HB 3433 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 02/26/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to fees assessed by the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District. |
| HB 3444 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 02/26/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to appointment of the members of the early voting ballot board. |
| HB 3500 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 02/27/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to the authority of certain municipalities to receive and pledge for the payment of obligations certain additional tax revenue derived from a hotel and convention center project. |
| HB 3821 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 03/05/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to the implementation of a veteran discount program for the use of certain toll projects. |
| HB 3906 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 03/06/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to the authority of certain counties to regulate noise levels in residential areas; creating a criminal offense. |
| HB 3908 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 03/06/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to the violation of the restrictions, bylaws, or rules of a property owners’ association. |
| HB 4086 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 03/07/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to the regulation of composting facilities by certain counties. |
| HCR 40 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 03/05/2025 H Referred to Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans’ Affairs: Mar 5 2025 11:46AM | |
| Caption: | Urging Congress to reimburse the State of Texas for border security costs incurred under Operation Lone Star. |
| HJR 175 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 03/07/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the right to own, hold, and use a mutually agreed upon medium of exchange. |
| HR 214 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 02/11/2025 H Reported enrolled: Feb 11 2025 5:07PM | |
| Caption: | Recognizing February 11, 2025, as Bastrop County Day at the State Capitol. |
| HR 270 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 02/18/2025 H Reported enrolled: Feb 18 2025 5:58PM | |
| Caption: | Recognizing February 18, 2025, as Lee County Day at the State Capitol. |
| HR 345 | Author: | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 02/21/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Recognizing February 26, 2025, as Caldwell County Day at the State Capitol. |
Joint Author (2):
| HB 796 | Author: | Bell, Cecil | Spiller | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 11/12/2024 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to the Texas Sovereignty Act. |
| HJR 98 | Author: | Vasut | Hefner | Metcalf |
| Coauthor: | Alders | Ashby | Barry | Bell, Cecil | Bonnen | … | Frank | Gerdes | Guillen | Harris | … | |
| Last Action: | 11/18/2024 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Applying to the Congress of the United States to call a convention under Article V of the United States Constitution for the limited purpose of proposing one or more amendments to the constitution to impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and to limit the terms of office of federal officials and members of Congress. |
| HB 911 | Author: | Cain | Gerdes | Slawson | Schofield | Harris |
| Last Action: | 03/06/2025 H Referred to Delivery of Government Efficiency: Mar 6 2025 11:42AM | |
| Caption: | Relating to the designation of Celebration of Life Day as a state holiday. |
| HB 3211 | Author: | Dean | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 02/24/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to the participation of optometrists and therapeutic optometrists in managed care plans providing vision benefits. |
| HB 3371 | Author: | Metcalf | Gerdes |
| Last Action: | 02/26/2025 H Filed | |
| Caption: | Relating to the recovery of certain state border security expenditures from the federal government. |
Guest Commentary
Guest Commentary
Listen to this Democrat. Is this what YOU support?
Listen to this seconding speech for the Democrat who was nominated as Speaker of the Texas House. Listen to the laundry list of issues that Rep Jo Jones and other Democrats will be pushing. Then ask yourself why HD17 Rep Stan Gerdes would vote with a small number of Republicans and a large number of Democrats, with priority issues as she reveals here. Listen to her comments about school choice. Do these renegade Republicans really think these Democrats are going to let Republican priority bills even get a floor vote unless they’re so watered down as to be completely worthless.
DEMOCRATS Chose the TX House Speaker
The final vote was 85 to 55 for Dustin Burrows as TX House Speaker. Who made up that 85 votes? DEMOCRATS: 49, Republicans 36.
Yes, folks, DEMOCRATS chose our TX House Speaker. Yes, HD17 voters. Stan Gerdes voted with Democrat Jo Jones (and 48 other Democrats). What did Republicans give up to get those Democrat votes? Time will tell.
Those 36 Republicans broke the rules. The Republican Caucus rules called for ALL Republicans to vote for the winner of the Republican Caucus. These 36, including HD17’s Stan Gerdes, did not. Instead, they chose to allow DEMOCRATS to pick the Texas Speaker of the House.
Will Republican priorities pass in bills that actually enact the priorities? Or will bills pass “in name only”, so watered down as to be meaningless? Time will tell.
Guest Commentary
Republicans who may vote with Dems to pick the next TX House Speaker
Note at the bottom regarding numbers:
1= Voted YES to impeach Paxton
2=Took donations from Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
3= Took donations from Texas Sands PAC (casino gambling)
“Bingo Card” courtesy Debbie Wolgemuth
Guest Commentary
Guest Commentary
Guest Commentary
The Battle for Control
RPT v Rinos; Burrows (Phelan) v Cook; Gerdes v Constituents
On so many levels, there is a major battle looming here in Texas. Grassroots Republicans worked extremely hard to win the White House, to keep the #TXLege in Republican hands, and keep their districts in Republican hands. Many paid a lot of money to go to the GOP Convention to elect strong leadership, to vote for the Platform, and to choose Legislative Priorities for the 2025 session.
We didn’t do all that so our Republican representatives could put Democrats in charge, so that our Republican representatives could represent lobbyists and developers instead of their constituents.
Here in Bastrop County, our HD17 Representative Stan Gerdes raised a lot of money from PACs to defeat a solid conservative primary challenger. In some circles, that’s called buying a seat at the table. And, Gerdes’ consistent refusal to openly support the choice of the Republican Caucus for TX House Speaker has Bastrop County Republicans very unhappy.
Gerdes and his mentor Rick Perry supported former Speaker Dade Phelan until Phelan dropped out of the race. Gerdes, then, along with 25 other Republicans, walked out of the Caucus on the third vote once it was clear their candidate for House speaker, Burrows, would not win the Caucus vote. Since then, he has refused to agree to support the GOP Caucus choice for Speaker, David Cook.
Gerdes isn’t listening to his constituents or he just doesn’t care what they think.
Earlier this week, the TexasGOP sent a post card to Bastrop County Republicans letting them know that. 
And, the elected Bastrop County precinct chairs (the CEC) passed a resolution and issued a press release on December 30, 2024 putting Gerdes on notice about his votes in the upcoming session.
By way of history, Gerdes would not take a position against Democrat chairs of committees in 2023. In fact, he openly refused to do so at the Lost Pines Republican Women candidate forum and Texas Scorecard wrote an article about it. Gerdes voted for Dade Phelan as Speaker in 2023 along with every Democrat that voted. Dade Phelan appointed Democrat chairs, some of whom killed GOP priority bills.
Again this year, Gerdes has refused to take a position against Democrat chairs. He has refused to commit to voting for the GOP Caucus nominee as the rules require. All Democrats have been “released” and told they can vote for any GOP candidate except Cook. That means all Dems will likely vote for Burrows (who has also not ruled out Dem committee chairs. If Gerdes joins them in that choice, he’ll have chosen Democrats over his constituents.