President Donald Trump has officially endorsed Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) and the 86 Republican lawmakers who voted for education savings account (ESA) legislation earlier this month, Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed Tuesday.
Trump’s endorsement, delivered with the full weight of the presidency, comes amid an ongoing push for school choice policies nationwide and signals strong federal support for the state-level effort. It also bolsters Burrows’ position as Speaker and offers political cover to incumbents facing pressure from both conservative activists and primary challengers.
The support is tied to Senate Bill 2 (SB 2), passed in the Texas House on April 16. The bill would establish ESAs, allowing public education funds to follow students to private or home schools. President Trump had privately told GOP lawmakers during a caucus meeting that morning he would back those who voted in favor of the measure. All but two House Republicans—former Speaker Dade Phelan and Rep. Gary VanDeaver—did so.
“This is a turning point,” Abbott told reporters. “President Trump understands the urgency of empowering parents, and his support means Texans can count on this issue remaining front and center.”
Speaker Burrows has recently faced pushback from both the right and left. Hardline conservatives have criticized the House for moving too slowly on core GOP priorities, while Democrats expressed deep frustration after the ESA vote, arguing it threatens to siphon funding away from public schools.
Following a failed attempt by GOP dissidents to oust him from the speakership, Burrows now appears to have solidified his standing, with the backing of the President and the governor alike.
Trump's direct involvement in Texas politics has intensified in recent years. After largely staying neutral during the recent speaker battle—despite his son, Donald Trump Jr., endorsing Burrows' rival—this latest move marks a shift toward unifying the state party ahead of the 2026 midterms.
It also follows a bruising 2024 primary season, during which both President Trump and Gov. Abbott endorsed challengers to several incumbent Republicans, resulting in significant turnover in the House. The fallout from that cycle, especially following the controversial 2023 impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton (which Burrows supported), continues to shape Texas GOP dynamics.
Trump’s endorsement is expected to carry major weight. Alongside public advocacy from tech billionaire Elon Musk in favor of ESAs, the President’s backing reinforces school choice as a key Republican issue nationally and in Texas.
.jpg)
.jpg)
