From Houstonchronicle · · 1m 10s
Houston lawmaker Senfronia Thompson on brink of historic Texas House speakership
Houston lawmaker Senfronia Thompson, 87, has enough votes to become Texas House's first woman and first Black speaker.
In brief
Houston lawmaker Senfronia Thompson, 87, has enough votes to become Texas House's first woman and first Black speaker. Senfronia Thompson, the longest-serving Democrat in Texas House, will become the first woman and first Black speaker of the Texas House. Originally reported by Houstonchronicle.
Thompson announces speaker bid
Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, announced she has enough votes to become Texas House speaker.
Majority support for Thompson
Thompson said a majority of House members, including three Republicans, had already backed her bid.
Historic leadership role
Thompson would be the first woman and first Black lawmaker to hold the powerful Texas House speaker position.
State government milestone
Texas would be governed by three women for the first time in state history.
Thompson's leadership philosophy
Thompson said the gavel belongs to the people of Texas, not to Republicans or Democrats.
“The gavel doesn’t belong to me. The gavel does not belong to the Republicans nor the Democrats. The gavel belongs to the people of this state.”
Thompson's committee approach
Thompson committed to appointing committee chairs from both parties to ensure expertise.
“We’ve got to have expertise on both sides.”
Thompson's legacy
Thompson has represented Texas House District 141 since 1973, making her the longest-serving woman in the Legislature.
The big picture
Senfronia Thompson, the longest-serving Democrat in Texas House, will become the first woman and first Black speaker of the Texas House.
