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Texas Legislature 2019

There's a new Texas House speaker in town

In the latest installment of our mini-documentary series, "Under the Dome," we chronicle the path state Rep. Dennis Bonnen took to become the next likely speaker of the Texas House.

by Alana Rocha, Justin Dehn, Todd Wiseman and Jianing “Holly” He

Under the Dome

A mini-documentary series chronicling the cast of characters passing bills in the Texas Capitol.

 More in this series 

The race for the next speaker of the Texas House never really materialized. While members and news outlets focused on the slate of declared candidates hoping to succeed House Speaker Joe Straus, state Rep. Dennis Bonnen was working behind the scenes. In November, the Angleton Republican announced not only that he was running, but that he had shored up dozens more votes than needed to secure the job.

The anticipated drama of a field of hopefuls battling it out on Day One of the 86th Legislature might have fallen short, but having Bonnen at the helm of the House is sure to create some political theater within that chamber — and across the rotunda with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in the Texas Senate.

Watch as we take you through Bonnen's rise to power and what members have to say about his leadership style.

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Information about the authors

Alana Rocha’s staff photo

Alana Rocha

Director of News Partnerships

Justin Dehn’s staff photo
Todd Wiseman’s staff photo
Jianing “Holly” He’s staff photo

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