The longtime state legislator, who announced in June 2025 he wasn’t seeking reelection, vacated the seat to serve as a U.S. assistant secretary of defense.
David Cook
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Why Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s endorsed candidates always win
No GOP candidate for the Texas Senate has ever defeated a Patrick-endorsed primary opponent since he became the state’s second-in-command over a decade ago.
Posted inPolitics
Texas’ DOGE committee takes inspiration from Elon Musk’s federal operation
The new legislative panel has been tasked to reduce the size and scope of government. But Democrats say they’re not interested in replicating Musk’s slash-and-burn approach.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
How a multi-year legal battle by allies of a billionaire megadonor set off this year’s explosive House Speaker race
A pair of lawsuits filed by allies of West Texas megadonor Tim Dunn shut down laws that banned outside spending in the House leadership race, allowing for more political mudslinging and raising questions about ethics rules.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
Winners and losers from the Texas House speaker’s race
The new speaker’s power over the budget and committee assignments is expected to bolster established Republican leaders and some Democrats who supported the winner.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
Rep. Dustin Burrows voted Texas House speaker in blow to insurgent GOP movement
Burrows defeated Rep. David Cook with a coalition of Republican and Democratic votes.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
Republican infighting flares after Burrows elected speaker
The Texas House kicked off the 2025 session by electing an establishment Republican to lead the chamber, drawing criticism from within the GOP.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
See how Texas House members voted in the speaker race
The race pitted state Reps. David Cook and Dustin Burrows against each other. Here’s how each representative voted.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
Texas House to pick new speaker, concluding brutal proxy war
The new speaker will have a dramatic impact on the direction of this year’s lawmaking — and potentially the future of the Legislature.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
Ken Paxton kicks off tour to pressure Republicans to support David Cook for House speaker
Paxton’s latest tour is the continuation of his efforts in the past year to get political revenge on House Republicans who supported his impeachment.
