State Rep. Jay Dean, R‑Longview, appeared on the weekly “East Texas Politics” broadcast on East Texas Now to discuss his surprising endorsement of Democratic Rep. Senfronia Thompson for Texas House speaker. Dean, a former mayor of Longview, said his decision reflects a commitment to represent the people who elected him, rather than yielding to partisan pressure.
Why Dean supports Rep. Thompson
“They didn’t ask us to go down there and not participate in the process,” Dean told host Blake Holland. “I’m going to participate in the process.” He added that elected officials owe their constituents action, not fear of primary challenges.
Dean noted that some Republican colleagues worry about being challenged in a future primary if they vote for a Democrat. He argued that avoiding responsibility only invites more primary attacks, saying, “If you’re going to run scared because you’re worried about getting primaried, then you’re going to get primaried more because you didn’t do anything.”
Rep. Thompson’s historic tenure
Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D‑Houston, has served in the Texas House since 1973, making her the longest‑serving woman and Black lawmaker in the state’s legislative history. Thompson has announced she believes she has the votes needed to become the next speaker.
Broader implications for Texas Republicans
During the interview, Dean also addressed the recent losses the Republican Party suffered in major state races. He warned that the party must reassess its strategy to win back the state, emphasizing the need for principled leadership over partisan rigidity.
Dean’s stance highlights a growing conversation among some Texas Republicans about the balance between party loyalty and effective governance. By supporting Rep. Thompson, Dean signals a willingness to place legislative function above partisan division.
About the program
“East Texas Politics” streams Fridays at 6:30 p.m. with an encore on Sundays at 10 a.m. Viewers can watch live at kltv.com/live or via the free KLTV and KTRE apps on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Android TV. Episodes are also available on demand after the Friday broadcast.
Blake Holland, the program’s anchor and reporter for KLTV and KTRE, has covered national political conventions, presidential visits, and regional political news since joining the stations in 2018.
Original reporting: KLTV 7 Tyler (news) — read the source article.
