“Texans, we can no longer ignore the betrayal we witnessed in this election. Dade Phelan, in a desperate attempt to secure his political future, orchestrated a strategy that relied on Democrats voting for him in the Republican runoff. He knew he couldn’t win on his own merit, so he sought to bolster his chances by courting Democrat support in his district. The Covey campaign has identified at least 1,442 Democrats who voted early in Jefferson County, making up 20 percent of Jefferson County’s early vote numbers. Without Democrats, Dade never would have won.”

“Phelan has not only failed Texans across the state but has blatantly stolen an election from the hard-working people of his district. This treachery is a slap in the face to every true Republican who believes in fair and honest elections. We cannot stand idly by. We must close our primaries. Tonight, weak and liberal Republican incumbents lost across the State of Texas, but Democrats swooped in and saved Dade Phelan. This kind of underhanded manipulation cannot be tolerated.”

“The Republican Party of Texas must take immediate action to secure our Republican Primaries. My message to Austin is clear: to those considering supporting Dade Phelan as Speaker in 2025, ask your 15 colleagues who lost re-election how they feel about their decision now. You will not return if you vote for Dade Phelan again,” writes Picasso-faced Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a memo to his fans after Tuesday’s defeat for the challenger he backed against Speaker Dade Phelan.

Can’t say it isn’t on-brand for Paxton to lose his shit over an election his guy lost – even when his guy actually conceded this time – and accuse Democrats of cheating and vowing merciless revenge and to change the rules and all other sorts of fascist bullshit. This twat needs to go down in flames.