Houston: Veteran Texas State Representative Senfronia Thompson announced Friday that she has secured enough support to become the next Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.
The 87-year-old Houston lawmaker is now on the verge of making history as the first woman and the first Black legislator to hold the powerful position.
Thompson said that a majority of the 150-member Texas House, including three Republican lawmakers, have pledged their support for her candidacy, giving her the votes needed to secure the speakership.
Texas lawmakers are scheduled to return to Austin in January, when they will formally vote to elect the next House Speaker.
If officially elected, Thompson’s selection would mark a historic milestone in Texas politics, making her the first woman and first Black lawmaker to lead the Texas House of Representatives.
