Texas poised for first all-female 'Big Three' as Senfronia Thompson secures House Speaker role

Key points

• Senfronia Thompson, 87, confirmed on November 6 that she has the votes to become Texas House Speaker, a role she will assume when the legislature convenes in January.
• Gina Hinojosa was elected as the state’s first Latina governor, and Vikki Goodwin was elected as the first female lieutenant governor.
• The trio represents the first Democratic majority in Texas since 2003, with Democrats controlling the House but Republicans retaining control of the Senate (19 of 31 seats).
• Thompson, who has served in the legislature since 1973, is the first woman and first Black person to hold the speakership, a position with significant power over committee assignments and legislation.
• The three women previously served together in the legislature for eight years, collaborating on issues including school funding and women’s health.

Background

This development follows a broader trend of increased female representation in Texas politics, which began with Senfronia Thompson’s election in 1972 when only two women served in the state legislature. While two women, Miriam 'Ma' Ferguson and Ann Richards, have previously served as governor, no woman had previously held the positions of lieutenant governor or House speaker. The current shift contrasts with the previous decade, where Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick held two of the three top positions alongside rotating male House speakers.

How outlets are covering it

The Texas Tribune emphasizes the historic nature of the 'Big Three' and the potential for smoother legislative cooperation due to the personal and political alignment of the three women. It highlights research suggesting female lawmakers are more likely to be collaborative. Click2Houston focuses on Thompson’s bipartisan appeal and her ability to work across party lines, noting that her speakership will be critical for advancing Governor Hinojosa’s agenda, such as $1,500 checks and data center policies, despite the Republican-controlled Senate acting as a potential 'firewall.' Both outlets agree that the Republican hold on the Senate remains a significant hurdle for the new leadership.

Why it matters

The consolidation of the top three state leadership roles under women signals a potential shift in legislative priorities and governance style in Texas. With Democrats controlling the House for the first time since 2003, the new leadership may advance progressive agendas on affordability, education, and healthcare. However, the continued Republican control of the Senate ensures that legislative progress will require negotiation and compromise, making the collaborative approach emphasized by the new leaders crucial for passing bills.

What to watch

The Texas Legislature will convene in January 2027, where Senfronia Thompson will officially take the oath as Speaker. The new leadership will begin negotiating with the Republican-controlled Senate to pass legislation, including Hinojosa’s proposed $1,500 checks for Texans and other affordability measures. The success of the 'Big Three' will depend on their ability to maintain bipartisan cooperation despite the partisan divide in the Senate.