Texas has gone from a reliably red state to a consequential purple state thanks to the blue tsunami of 2026 (Photo Credit: Regal Media Group/Todd A. Smith).
The 2026 midterms became a midterm of firsts in America.
The first Black woman governor in United States history.
The first Muslim senator in United States history.
And Texas state Rep. Senfronia Thompson, 87, is poised to become the first woman and first Black American to serve as speaker of the Texas House.
Rep. Thompson said, “We are going to be working to resolve the issues, to solve the problems, to take care of the people’s business, and not to be bickering and fighting about little wee wee things that have no place within our legislative process.”
On Nov. 6, Kayla Guo of the Texas Tribune reported, “State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, the longest-serving woman and the longest-serving Black legislator in any state, said Friday that she has enough votes to win the Texas House speaker’s gavel when the Legislature convenes in January.
“Her announcement came hours after state Rep. Eddie Morales, Jr., a centrist Democrat from Eagle Pass and Thompson’s only other competitor for the post, dropped his bid and endorsed her. She later released a list of 90 supporters, including eight Republicans. State. Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, described her majority as ‘overwhelming’ and increasing ‘every minute,’ with every Democratic member and a growing number of Republican supporters behind her.”
Thompson said, “The bottom line is, the majority of the House has pledged to me.”
Guo of the Texas Tribune added, “Thompson’s bid for the gavel comes after Texas Democrats routed Republicans in (last) Tuesday’s midterms, sweeping every statewide seat on the ballot and winning their first majority in the Texas House since 2003. Democrats were poised to control more than 80 seats in the 150-member chamber, with some races yet to be officially called because they were razor-thin margins.
“The power shift all but ensures that Republican Speaker Dustin Burrows of Lubbock will lose the gavel. In Burrows’ first term, Republicans unleashed new levels of partisan domination over the minority party and passed a slate of long-elusive GOP priorities, including a new school voucher system, further restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights and a rare mid-decade gerrymander of Texas’ congressional map, which backfired (last) week.”
However, Texas congresspeople will not return to Austin, Texas, to vote on Thompson’s nomination until January.
On Nov. 7, Megan Kimble of the Houston Chronicle reported, “The position is among the three most consequential in state government. Thompson would join Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa, the state’s first Latina governor, and Lt. Gov.-elect Vikki Goodwin, the state’s first female lieutenant governor.
“It would be the first time in the state’s history that Texas is governed by three women.
“Three dozen House Democrats and at least three Republicans appeared alongside Thompson, signaling her broad support among members.”
Thompson said she would not lead “as a dictatorship,” telling people what to do.
Many Americans have criticized President Donald Trump and his MAGA supporters for wanting America to become a dictatorship.
That belief, along with displeasure with the way President Trump has handled the affordability crisis, inflation, foreign wars, and alleged government fraud, led to what many have called a blue tsunami for the Democrats.
Thompson added, “I expect members to help represent their districts.”
Kimble of the Houston Chronicle added, “Thompson has represented Texas House District 141, which covers northeast Houston, since 1973, making her the longest-serving woman in the Legislature. That earned her the title of Dean of the House, which she shares with state Rep. Tom Craddick, R-Midland, who has served since 1969.
Thompson said, “I have lived in a segregated society, and I’ve lived in a Democrat society. And there are a lot of people who fought hard and long for me to be in this position.”
She added, “I’m being elected because I’m able to achieve the things my colleagues believe that I am, and I believe that I am.”
Kimble reported, “One of Thompson’s first tasks as speaker would be assigning lawmakers to committees. In 2025, GOP leadership ended the decades-long practice of bipartisan committee chairs…
“Thompson is well-respected by members of both parties. On the last day of the 89th legislative session, in June 2025, House members unveiled a portrait of Thompson to hang in the chamber.
“At the time, outgoing House Speaker Dustin Burrows, a Lubbock Republican, called Thompson ‘the conscience of the House.’”
She briefly ran for House Speaker before the 2020 election.
Kimble of the Houston Chronicle reported, “In the Legislature, Thompson has built a reputation for fighting for the underprivileged. She worked with lawmakers across the aisle to raise the minimum wage, strengthen laws against racial profiling by police, establish alimony rights and create drug courts.
“Thompson also led the Legislature in passing anti-human trafficking measures and authored a bill to increase access to legal aid for low-income Texans with civil cases. She’s fought to expand insurance coverage for women’s health, including 3D mammograms, HPV and cervical cancer screenings, and contraceptives.”
On the social media platform X, Rep. Morales said, “I have full confidence that the needs of our rural and border communities will be met under her speakership.”
The legislature begins on Jan. 12.
A House Speaker must be chosen before the legislature can handle other business.
