Former Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont), who has represented House District 21 for over a decade and presided over one of the most contentious stretches in modern legislative history, announced Thursday that he will retire from elected office in 2026.
The announcement came with a touch of humor and celebrity flair. Phelan posted on X a video featuring famed actor and martial artist Chuck Norris reading his retirement statement. The caption to the video read:
“This video from Chuck Norris about my retirement in 2026 is my last Texas House political ad. paid for by Texans for Dade. May God Bless the House and may God Bless the Great State of Texas!”
In the clip, Norris offered words of encouragement: “Good luck in the next chapter of your life in 2026. All the people that walked this journey with you are just as grateful for you as you are for them.”
The light-hearted rollout contrasted with the weight of Phelan’s tenure in Austin. His four years as House Speaker were marked by landmark legislation, sharp clashes with other Republican leaders, and political battles that nearly cost him his career.
A Decade in the Texas House
Phelan was first elected in 2014 to represent House District 21, which covers Jasper and Orange counties as well as most of Jefferson County. The seat is one of the most reliably Republican districts in the state, with an R-80% rating from The Texan’s Texas Partisan Index.
Over five terms, he became one of the most influential figures in Texas politics. In 2021, he was elected the 78th Speaker of the Texas House, rising quickly through the ranks of GOP leadership.
In a Facebook post confirming his retirement, Phelan reflected on his years of service:
“Serving Southeast Texas has been the greatest privilege of my professional life. I was honored to serve as Speaker of the Texas House. Leading the House required tough choices, but I sought to chart a course inspired by the values we share in Southeast Texas: protecting our families, defending our liberties, and leading with independence, loyalty, integrity, and resolve.”
Legislative Legacy
Phelan’s time as speaker coincided with a period of Republican dominance in Texas government, but also with some of the most polarizing debates in the state’s history.
He pointed to achievements including:
“Generational investments in mental health care.”
Expanded maternal health access.
Criminal justice reforms.
Historic funding for infrastructure and flood mitigation.
The largest property tax cut in American history.
Strengthened border security.
Passage of constitutional carry, allowing Texans to carry firearms without a permit.
The state’s near-total abortion ban following the U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022.
“Together, we achieved generational investments,” Phelan wrote in his retirement statement, framing his record as one of conservative accomplishment paired with pragmatic governance.
Clashes and Controversy
But his speakership was far from smooth. Phelan frequently locked horns with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, particularly over the issue of school choice. Despite repeated attempts, the Texas House failed to pass a school voucher program, a key priority for Patrick and Gov. Greg Abbott.
The 2023 session also saw the Texas House lead the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton, a move that split the GOP base. Paxton was later acquitted in the Senate trial, fueling backlash among conservatives who viewed Phelan as aligned with moderates.
In December 2024, he announced he would not seek another term as Speaker, days before the House Republican Caucus vote. His decision came after a bruising regular session and four special sessions that highlighted divisions in the Republican Party.
A Narrow Political Survival
Phelan’s retirement announcement follows a narrow escape from political defeat earlier this year.
In 2024, he faced a serious primary challenge from David Covey, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump. Phelan finished second in the initial primary vote, but fought back in the runoff, ultimately defeating Covey by just 366 votes.
The result underscored both his resilience and the vulnerability of establishment Republicans in a party increasingly shaped by Trump’s influence.
Personal Thanks and Future Plans
In his retirement statement, Phelan expressed gratitude for his family, staff, and supporters.
“Most importantly, I am deeply grateful for my wife, Kim, and our four boys, whose love, patience, and encouragement have sustained me throughout my tenure in the Texas House.”
Looking to life after politics, he kept his plans open but grounded in faith:
“Looking ahead, I will seek God’s path in mapping out my next chapter. The future is bright for the Great State of Texas, and I remain committed to its promise. Thank you for this extraordinary privilege of serving House District 21.”
Colleagues responded warmly to the news. State Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) praised him in an X post: “When Dade Phelan retires, even the Texas Capitol dome tips its hat.”
Reading the Political Landscape
Phelan’s retirement announcement nearly two years before the end of his current term will reshape political calculations in Southeast Texas and beyond. With HD 21 considered a safe Republican district, the real contest is likely to play out in the GOP primary rather than the general election.
His exit also leaves open questions about the future leadership of House Republicans. As a speaker, Phelan sought to balance a fractured caucus that included both pragmatic conservatives and hardline populists. His departure may accelerate the party’s shift toward the latter camp.
For now, Phelan is positioning his retirement not as a retreat but as a capstone to a long record of public service. The use of Chuck Norris in his announcement highlighted his ability to blend seriousness with humor, a hallmark of his political style.
A Tumultuous but Lasting Impact
Whether admired or criticized, Phelan’s impact on Texas politics is undeniable. He presided over a historic era of Republican policymaking, steered the House through unprecedented partisan infighting, and emerged — barely — from one of the toughest election cycles of his career.
By announcing his retirement early, he may be signaling both confidence in his legacy and a desire to avoid the prolonged internal battles that have defined Texas politics in recent years.
As Norris said in his video, the people who walked this journey with Phelan are “just as grateful for you as you are for them.” In Texas politics, gratitude is often fleeting, but Phelan’s decade in the House ensures that his name will remain part of the state’s political story long after he steps down in 2026.
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