Tensions over party unity and electoral outlook surfaced this week among top Texas Republicans, as Dustin Burrows publicly responded to remarks made by Dan Patrick about the GOP’s chances of maintaining control of the Texas House.
Speaking on April 8 at the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Texas Policy Summit, Patrick emphasized the importance of party unity amid ongoing Republican infighting. His comments came against the backdrop of a contentious U.S. Senate race between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton. Patrick warned that negative campaigning within the party was counterproductive, stating that “tearing each other apart” was not helping Republicans politically.
Patrick also pointed to recent electoral dynamics, including the Texas Senate District 9 special election runoff between Republican Leigh Wambsganss and Democrat Taylor Rehmet. He suggested that intra-party divisions—specifically the lack of an endorsement from Republican John Huffman after his elimination—played a role in Wambsganss’ loss.
“And make no mistake, because of the [Texas Senate] race that we lost, the Democrats and George Soros will pour hundreds of millions of dollars [into the state]. We're going to have a tough time holding the Texas House,” Patrick said. “I think our Senate's in good shape, take nothing for granted.”
Burrows quickly pushed back on that assessment later the same day via social media, projecting confidence in Republican prospects. “We will not lose the Texas House. We will fight to retain every Republican seat. I look forward to the fall campaign where we get to talk about Texas’ prosperity under Republican leadership; and, I trust the voters of Texas to continue to vote for conservative government up and down the ballot!” he wrote.
The following day, Burrows also appeared at the same policy summit, where he sought to clarify the situation and strike a more conciliatory tone. Emphasizing his personal relationship with Patrick, Burrows noted that the two had spoken privately in the days leading up to the event.
“I didn't get to see the entire thing, but no doubt it was completely taken out of context,” Burrows said of Patrick’s earlier remarks. “I think it's part of a broader point that I 100 percent agree with, which is that we have to be united Republicans.”
Burrows reinforced that message of unity as critical heading into the November elections. “This November we’ve got to be on the same page. We’ve got to be working and growing in the same direction. We have to be turning out voters, and all the candidates have to be working very hard,” he said, adding that he and Patrick are “completely in alignment” on the need for cohesion within the party.
Despite Patrick’s warning, Burrows remained unequivocal in his outlook. “By the way, just to be real clear, I’ve seen the numbers and we're not going to lose the Texas House,” he said, drawing applause from attendees.
