Long before she was elected to serve as the District 1 Trustee, Candace Hunter understood the ins and outs of the school board. The former Austin ISD teacher has spent a lot of time trying to help other people understand it too.

By Becky Fogel, KUT NewsMay 22, 2024 10:00 amEducation, KUT, Texas Newsroom

AUSTIN, Texas — The Republican runoff race in House District 21 has statewide implications as incumbent Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan is challenged by political newcomer David Covey.

Former Gov. Rick Perry made the case for Phelan at a campaign event Monday night in Beaumont. Across town, Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller did the same for Covey.

Covey has secured endorsements from former President Donald Trump, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton who all want to see Phelan ousted.

For the next week, Phelan and Covey are trying to get as many of their supporters to the polls.

“This might be the future of the Republican Party. Is the Texas House going to be the Texas House, or is the Texas House going to be a holy home subsidiary of the Texas Senate? I can’t allow that to happen. We have to have two independent chambers that can run and function as grown men and grown women,” said Phelan.

Perry is one of Phelan’s only state level endorsers.

“You know what happens if you got a freshman member of the legislature? He’s not even a speed bump,” said Perry.

Both questioned what Covey could do as a freshman lawmaker for the district that Phelan couldn’t do.

“I reduced tuition by 50% for our three two-year colleges, Lamar Orange, Lamar Porter Arthur and LIT. That has to be in the budget next cycle, or guess what? It goes up 50%,” said Phelan.

Meanwhile, Covey spoke with his supporters who say they want someone who represents their party’s values.

“We’re a conservative district, but he gave power to the Democrats and enabled them to pass their legislation,” said Covey.

Covey and many GOP leaders, who want to see Phelan ousted, blame him for the failure of the school voucher bill, which would allow public dollars to be used for private schools.

“We have to empower parents to make the best decision for their kids that they can. And so the speaker came to that vote, and he abstained from voting, so why would he abstain when the kids of Texas are at stake,” said Covey.

Experts suggest this runoff race isn’t about changing minds.

“I think a lot of what the race will come down to is whether people have positive images of things Phelan has done in office in terms of disaster relief and other issues, verses whether they think he’s gone far enough on some causes that are near and dear to cultural conservatives.,” James Nelson, a Lamar University professor of political science, said.

Phelan’s supporters come mainly from Beaumont and Jefferson County.

“I’m concerned at how Republicans are attacking one of their own people in Dade Phelan,” said Andy Jirrels, a Beaumont resident.

Covey’s support comes from his home in Orange County.

“As speaker of the House, you’re invested in the whole state and all the districts all over. You’ve got to juggle a lot of things. I think it’s time we have somebody that’s going to be fully invested in House District 21,” Brian Elliott, an Orange County resident, said.

Jasper County is the third county that makes up House District 21.

Experts suggest the rural makeup could drive more conservative voters seeking a change in leadership to the polls. There is no Democratic candidate, so whoever wins this race will be the presumed representative for this area.