AUSTIN, Texas — Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan has added a big name to his team: former Gov. Rick Perry.
Phelan's office announced Thursday that Perry will join the team as a senior advisor, effective immediately. Perry will advise Phelan and his team in a "voluntary capacity" until the next legislative session begins in January.
"From his time as Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Agriculture Commissioner and State Representative, [Perry] understands every facet of the legislative process, and that will be a tremendous asset as we work to strengthen our state's economy, improve education and ensure every member’s voice is heard in the Texas House this session," a statement from Phelan read in part.
Perry said he is honored to support Phelan and emphasized the importance of the lower chamber.
"The Texas House is not only where I began my career in public service, it’s a bedrock of balanced governance in our state – giving every voice, from the most rural to the most urban, a chance to be heard," a statement from Perry read in part. "I look forward to working with the Speaker, his team and all House members to strengthen the institution and build on its proud legacy of leadership, innovation and conservative results."
Phelan's office said Perry's insights on economic growth will be invaluable and as senior advisor, the former governor will also "foster collaboration" with House lawmakers, "helping to proactively solicit input and make recommendations" to improve operations in the speaker's office and the House at large.
This is not the first time Perry has shown support for Phelan. According to KVUE's East Texas sister station, KBMT, the former governor appeared in Beaumont earlier this year to show support for Phelan ahead of the primary election.
Will Phelan be speaker next session?
Whether or not Phelan will be House Speaker for the 89th session of the Texas Legislature remains up in the air. Three of his fellow Republicans have thrown their hats into the ring to challenge him: State Reps. David Cook of Mansfield, Tom Oliverson of Cyprus and Shelby Slawson of Stephenville.
Phelan has recently come under fire from members of his own party. Some Republicans believe he is insufficiently conservative and has worked too closely with Democrats. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, in particular, has been a major critic of Phelan, even calling on him to resign at one point last year.
Notably, Phelan has also taken heat for his support of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's impeachment in the House and for not taking a more active approach to pass school vouchers. Back in February, he was officially censured by the Republican Party of Texas for what the party called a "lack of fidelity to Republican principles and priorities."
What has Perry been up to since he was governor?
Perry has worked in politics for nearly 40 years, serving in the Texas House for six years – including a few as a Democrat – before becoming agriculture commissioner, then lieutenant governor. He became governor of Texas in December 2000, after then-Gov. George W. Bush resigned following his election as president.
Perry served as governor of Texas until January 2015 and was known for his staunch conservative ideals and policies.
Perry ran for president twice, in the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections.
After former President Donald Trump won the presidency in 2016, he appointed Perry as Secretary of Energy. Perry was confirmed in March 2017 and served in the position until he resigned in December 2019.
Perry also previously served on the Board of Directors of Energy Transfer Partners, the board of LE GP and the Board of Directors of MCNA Dental.