Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan survives primary despite backlash over Paxton impeachment: AP

Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan was projected to win his primary on Tuesday night, defeating challenger David Covey in a closely watched runoff primary that centered around the state House's impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Phelan was projected to win the primary in the state's 21st district, with 50.7% of the vote to Covey's 49.3%, according to the Associated Press. Phelan's victory comes after he was forced into a runoff in March, according to WFAA, where he secured the second highest amount of votes, while Covey finished first. Covey's popularity partly comes from the backing of former President Donald Trump, and Paxton. 

The state House Speaker will officially be reelected in November, because there's no Democratic challenger. But his future as the top Republican in the state's lower chamber is not guaranteed.

"Tonight, I am immensely grateful to the voters of Southeast Texas, who have spoken loud and clear: in Southeast Texas, we set our own course—our community is not for sale, and our values are not up for auction," Phelan posted to X. "Thank you, House District 21, for your confidence in me—I am honored to be your advocate and look forward to earning your vote once again in November."

Paxton slammed the results in his own post, claiming "Democrats" had elected Phelan in the runoff instead of Republicans. He also urged Republicans not to elect Phelan as speaker in 2025.

"My message to Austin is clear: to those considering supporting Dade Phelan as Speaker in 2025, ask your 15 colleagues who lost re-election how they feel about their decision now," Paxton said in a post. "You will not return if you vote for Dade Phelan again."

Paxton survived the impeachment attempt by being acquitted by the state Senate.