Texas state Rep. Senfronia Thompson is poised to make history after securing the support of a bipartisan coalition of 90 lawmakers in her bid to become the next speaker of the Texas House. If elected when the Legislature convenes on January 12, 2027, the 87-year-old Houston Democrat would become the first Black person and first woman to lead the chamber
The granddaughter of sharecroppers, Thompson grew up in Houston and worked as a teacher before entering politics. She was elected to the Texas House in 1972, following a political corruption scandal that led to significant turnover in the state Legislature, according to The New York Times.
Thompson was widowed two weeks after her first legislative session in 1973. She later put herself through law school while raising her three children, The Texas Tribune reported.
During her more than five decades in office, Thompson helped pass the James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act, named after a Black man murdered by white supremacists in 1998.
She also helped pass Texas' first court-ordered alimony law, pushed for insurance coverage of prescription contraceptives and opposed a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman.
Thompson has received support from Democrats and Republicans, including eight GOP lawmakers, giving her more than the 76 votes needed to secure a majority in the 150-member House.
According to The Texas Tribune, she has pledged to appoint members of both parties to lead House committees, restoring a bipartisan practice that ended under Republican leadership.
On Tuesday (November 10), Thompson announced that six former House speakers, including Republicans Joe Straus, Dennis Bonnen and Dade Phelan, had agreed to serve on her transition team.
Thompson’s bid comes after Democrats won control of the Texas House in the November 3 midterm elections, ending more than two decades of Republican control. She would also become the chamber’s first Democratic speaker since 2003.