Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen won't face criminal prosecution, Brazoria County DA says
District Attorney Jeri Yenne called Bonnen's behavior "offensive, lacking in integrity" and "demeaning to other human beings." Full Story
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Cassandra Pollock
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Cassandra Pollock was a state politics reporter for the Tribune. She joined the Tribune full-time in June 2017 after a fellowship during the 85th Texas Legislature. Pollock spent her first two years at the Trib as an engagement reporter, which meant her name likely landed in your inbox every weekday morning with “The Brief,” a newsletter on all things Texas politics and public policy. Pollock is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin’s School of Journalism. Pollock left The Texas Tribune in 2021.
Past Contributions
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![House Speaker Dennis Bonnen announces committee chairs at the state capitol. Jan 23, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
After a steady rise, Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen's fall came fast
The leader of the Capitol's lower chamber kept fighting until the end, to the frustration of some of his members. Full Story
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![Speaker Dennis Bonnen during the Texas Fallen Heroes ceremony on May 25, 2019]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen won't seek reelection after recording scandal
By Tuesday morning, more than 30 House Republicans had either called for the speaker's resignation or had stated they no longer supported him. Full Story
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![Speaker Dennis Bonnen in the House Chamber on March 27, 2019, the day the House will take up HB1, the 2020-21 budget plan.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver / The Texas Tribune -
Top Texas House Republicans say they can no longer support Speaker Dennis Bonnen
In the biggest blow yet to the House leader's political future, five fellow Republicans said they can't back him moving forward. Their statement comes days after the House GOP caucus condemned Bonnen. Full Story
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![Speaker Dennis Bonnen during the Texas Fallen Heroes ceremony on May 25, 2019]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Bonnen regrets comments about Texas cities and counties — yet also says urban governments have "run amok"
Local leaders felt targeted by state lawmakers even before the release of a secret recording that has imperiled the Texas House speaker's future. Bonnen says he was trying to convey a larger point about those officials and how they treat taxpayers. Full Story
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![Dallas city skyline at sunset.]()
Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto -
At GOP caucus meeting, House Speaker Dennis Bonnen offered resolution calling for his own resignation
The motion was later withdrawn, and after hours of debate, the caucus issued a statement condemning the actions of Bonnen and a top lieutenant. Full Story
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![House Speaker Dennis Bonnen at a press conference on Senate Bill 2 at Wallyís Burger Express in Austin on June 12, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Could Texas Democrats influence Dennis Bonnen's fate? The minority party is mulling what to do next.
Of the 17 House members who have called for Bonnen to step down, only four are Democrats. Full Story
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![The House Democratic Caucus speaks to the press following Gov. Abbott's State of the State address in Austin on Feb. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver / The Texas Tribune -
Calls for Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen's resignation are limited — but growing — as his party plans to meet this week
A handful of Republicans and Democrats have said the GOP leader of the lower chamber should step aside. And so far, no one from Bonnen's own party has publicly come to his defense. Full Story
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![State Rep. and presumptive House Speaker Dennis Bonnen in the House Chamber on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Dennis Bonnen, Michael Quinn Sullivan and who? We break down who was in the room and who’s mentioned on the tape.
Here’s who was mentioned in the recording where Republican Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen urged a hardline conservative activist to politically target members of their own party — and suggested he could get the activist's group media access to lawmakers next legislative session. Full Story
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![Michael Quinn Sullivan and Dennis Bonnen.]()
Credit: Illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen offered media access to Empower Texans, suggested it target certain Republicans, recording shows
Bonnen also spoke disparagingly about multiple Democrats, calling one House member “vile” and suggesting that another’s “wife’s gonna be really pissed when she learns he’s gay.” Full Story
![Speaker Dennis Bonnen during the Texas Fallen Heroes ceremony on May 25, 2019]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune