Texas House Republican Caucus censures 4 members

AUSTIN, Texas — Gov. Greg Abbott went after Republican incumbents who voted against his educational voucher plan during this year’s primary elections. Attorney General Ken Paton campaigned against incumbents who voted for his impeachment. And four members of the Legislature joined the governor and AG in trying to unseat incumbents.

“I knocked on doors with Gov. Greg Abbott for Helen Kirwan. I campaigned with Sen. Ted Cruz for Brent Money. I stood on stage with Attorney General Ken Paxton for Andy Hopper. And you know what? I would do it all over again,” said Rep. Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian.

The campaigning against incumbent Republican representatives by Reps. Brian Harrison of Midlothian, Nate Schatzline of Fort Worth, Tony Tinderholt of Arlington and Steve Toth of The Woodlands violated caucus bylaws and resulted in them being censured.

“The Texas House Republican Caucus is an impotent organization that is fighting for liberals. And I am not going to stand it. And if they want to censure me, all I got to say to them is bring it on. This whole thing’s a joke. I’m fighting for the future,” Harrison said.

The four violated bylaws adopted in 2019 after a previous incumbent was campaigned against. The caucus chair explained their bylaws are clear but could be changed before the end of this year.

“In order to do that, we require a quorum of members. And so the most likely time that we will achieve that is at our member caucus retreat in October. And so that’s probably where it’ll most likely happen,” said Rep. Tom Oliverson, R-Northwest Harris County.

Oliverson isn’t worried about the censorship. He’s eager to turn the page on this chapter.

“And move on,” he said. “We have a lot of important work to do. Republicans are uniting across this state.”

But analysts say there’s no prospect of unity in the near future for the Republican Party.

“These members of the Texas House who were sanctioned said unity comes after victory. One side or the other if going to win this fight and until that fight is won there is going to be division,” said Cal Jillson, a Southern Methodist University professor. 

Republican analysts believe the fighting won’t hurt the party.

“Naturally disagreements are going to be on the Republican side, being the party in power,” said Andy Hogue with Travis County GOP.

Paxton also weighed in on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying, “the establishment Republicans in the Texas House have not learned their lesson even after 15 incumbents were sent packing.”

Some believe the continued GOP turmoil will give Democrats more power.