Texas House speaker Dennis Bonnen has announced his resignation on Tuesday, Oct. 22, after a recording surfaced proving his scheming against fellow GOP incumbents—and lying about it.
"After much prayer, consultation, and thoughtful consideration with my family, it is clear that I can no longer seek re-election as State Representative of District 25, and subsequently, as Speaker of the House," the Republican speaker said in a prepared statement.
The statement included a list of 43 House Republicans—among which his brother Gregg Bonnen—who “have made clear that it is in the best interest of both myself and the House to move on.”
Bonnen was sworn into office in January and reaped quite a few political successes, which earned him the praise of many a legislator and even some grudging approval from Democrats.
When Sullivan made his allegations about Bonnen public, Bonnen first tried to bluff his way through, saying that it was precisely the opposite that had happened. But then, on Friday, two days before the annual fall retreat of the House Republican caucus, the tape came out.
On Friday night, the caucus condemned Bonnen's remarks by a majority of the present representatives. But it wasn't until after Monday night when five influential party members—Four Price of Amarillo, Dan Huberty of Humble, Chris Paddie of Marshall, Lyle Larson of San Antonio, and John Frullo of Lubbock—dropped him publicly that Bonnen realized his career in lawmaking was history.
“It is clear that trust and confidence in the Speaker has significantly eroded among our membership, and the matter has both damaged the reputation of the House and relationships among individual members. The House Republican Caucus issued an official statement condemning the conduct of Speaker Bonnen and Representative Burrows that we helped draft and fully support. However, we individually and collectively want to further express our belief that a leadership change is necessary.”
Sullivan responded to the announced abdication on his Twitter page, saying: “Disgraced #txlege Speaker [Bonnen] just announced he is not seeking re-election. The unethical stain he placed on the Texas GOP and the House can begin to be cleaned away.”
On his Facebook page on Tuesday, Sullivan wrote that “Bonnen could have behaved ethically from the start in his dealings with his fellow lawmakers, with me, and with the Texas public. He could have recanted his unethical offer privately when given the opportunity. He instead chose lies, deceit, dishonor, and—ultimately—ruin. He has gone from the third-ranking constitutional officer in Texas to a cautionary tale about the dangers of political hubris.”
A spokeswoman for Bonnen said he would continue to serve unless a substitute is assigned before his term ends in January next year.