A Texas GOP brawl is dragging to a runoff. How the power struggle may push Republicans further right

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A Republican power struggle in Texas that could push the state even further right come November isn’t cooling down.

The brawl within the Texas Republican primary this week was fought over personal and political reasons and left insurgent challengers emboldened that more victories are to come. With more than a dozen incumbents defeated or forced into uncomfortable runoffs, the results could reshape the Legislature and have already altered a top state appeals court.

The leaders behind the upheaval: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Gov. Greg Abbott.

For Paxton it was personal. He waged war against dozens of GOP lawmakers who were part of the 2023 effort to impeach him, most notably state House Speaker Dade Phelan. For Abbott, it was about policy. He spent millions to unseat Republicans who killed his plan to spend tax money on public schools.

Here is at look at what’s at stake:

WHO RUNS THE TEXAS HOUSE?

In a typical election, a House speaker who led the Republican-majority chamber as it passed some of the toughest anti-abortion laws in the country, vastly expanded gun rights, supported Abbott’s highly visible anti-immigration platforms and curtailed LGBTQ+ rights, would be a shoo-in for reelection.

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