AUSTIN — The 89th legislative session began Tuesday with members of the Texas House electing Rep. Dustin Burrows as their new speaker after a month-long divisive battle among Republicans. Burrows won the speaker's race by a vote of 85-55.

AUSTIN — Texas House lawmakers elected Republican Rep. Dustin Burrows as speaker Tuesday, shortly after the Legislature’s 89th regular session began.

The trial lawyer from Lubbock has served in the House since 2015, slowly building his stature and overcoming a scandal in 2019.

Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, was elected speaker of the Texas House on Tuesday, concluding a bitter and intense power struggle within the Republican Party that came down to an extraordinary floor vote to decide who would fill one of the most powerful positions in state government.

The political donations came in the two weeks before the fundraising blackout period tied to the legislative session.

He told Republicans and Democrats in the House chamber, "I commit to you today every member, every member will have a voice and every district, every district will have a seat at

A leader who learned to keep promises, a chance at chairing committees, and what they see as more chances for a fairer playing field.

Dustin Burrows is elected Speaker of the Texas House, signaling potential bipartisanship in addressing state issues.

Burrow’s win was an assertion of the chamber’s longstanding independence, and it set up another session of likely clashes with the more partisan Texas Senate.