State Rep. Senfronia Thompson announced on November 6, 2026, that she has secured a bipartisan coalition of 90 members to become the next speaker of the Texas House, positioning the 87-year-old Houston Democrat to make history as the state’s first female and first Black speaker when the legislative session convenes in January.
Bipartisan Support and the Speaker’s Race
Thompson’s announcement at the Texas Capitol followed a midterm election cycle that delivered Democrats their first House majority since 2003. Her only primary competitor for the post, state Rep. Eddie Morales Jr., dropped his bid and endorsed her hours before her declaration according to Texas Public Radio. The 150-member chamber requires 76 votes to claim the gavel.
Affectionately known as “Ms. T” around the Capitol, Thompson was first elected in 1973 and shares the title of Dean of the House with Republican state Rep. Tom Craddick of Midland. Her announced roster of 90 supporters includes 82 Democrats and eight Republicans, among them GOP state Reps. Charlie Geren of Fort Worth, Drew Darby of San Angelo, and Todd Hunter of Corpus Christi who stood beside her at the press conference.
This is huge: Rep. Senfronia Thompson says she has secured enough support to become the next Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives! Presumptive-Speaker Thompson will be Texas' first Black Speaker, first female Speaker, and the first Democrat to lead the House since 2003. pic.twitter.com/tMeTdfIdB6
I am honored to have secured the support of this growing bipartisan coalition of 90 Members. I look forward to leading the Texas House as Speaker,
Senfronia Thompson, state representative
A Historic Trio at the Top of State Government
If Thompson’s coalition holds through the official vote when the 90th legislative session convenes on January 12, 2027, Texas will have its first all-female “Big Three” leadership trio, alongside Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa and Lieutenant Governor-elect Vikki Goodwin. Only two women, Miriam “Ma” Ferguson and Ann Richards, have previously served as governor, and no woman has ever held the lieutenant governor or speaker posts.
Texas Southern University professor Dr. Michael Adams observed that Thompson’s decades-long career and rapport across the aisle give her a distinct advantage in bridging divides with rural and conservative lawmakers.
Priorities for the 90th Legislative Session
Thompson stated that her administration will focus on healthcare, education, and constituent needs rather than dictating a strict partisan agenda while pledging to work cooperatively with members from both parties.
The expertise of the Republicans and the expertise of the Democrats, working as a unit to get the things done for this state,
Thompson said during her announcement, adding that she intends to grant standing committee chairmanships to members of both parties though doing so would require rule changes in the House.
When Senfronia Thompson first assumed office in the Texas legislature, she joined a lower chamber that included only two women, operating in a political climate shaped by the early years of the Voting Rights Act. Her extensive background spans more than five decades, featuring service in the Texas Legislature.
Beside her on the podium during the Capitol press conference stood a group of lawmakers, featuring Fort Worth’s Ramon Romero and San Antonio’s Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, who head the Mexican American Legislative Caucus and the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, respectively.
The roster of supporting legislators also featured John Bryant, Yvonne Davis, and Ana-María Rodríguez Ramos, all of Dallas; Trey Martinez Fischer from San Antonio; Houston’s Christina Morales; and Ron Reynolds hailing from Missouri City. State Rep. Yvonne Davis emphasized that Thompson’s focus centers on governance for all residents rather than an exclusionary agenda.
The shift in the House majority alters the dynamics of the upcoming 90th legislative session. Preceding this transition, outgoing Speaker Dustin Burrows and his Republican colleagues had advanced priority measures including a school voucher system, restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights, and mid-decade congressional map adjustments.
With Democrats poised to control more than 80 seats in the 150-member chamber, Thompson’s supporters anticipate a collaborative approach to governance. Lieutenant Governor-elect Vikki Goodwin highlighted Thompson’s distinction between a politician and a statesman, noting that their shared background provides a strong foundation for the new administration.
Earlier coverage: Senfronia Thompson Says She Has Secured Pledges to Lead Texas House
