Wade Cowan/Photo by Campaign
State Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) won’t be running for re-election unopposed next year.
On Tuesday, Wade Cowan announced his candidacy for the House District 83 seat currently held by Burrows. According to his website, Cowan is an eighth-generation farmer and former chairman of the American Soybean Association.
In announcing his candidacy, Cowan took aim at Burrows, criticizing him for his close relationship with House Speaker Dade Phelan.
“Our current representative, Dustin Burrows, has become a hindrance to our conservative way of life,” Cowan says. “Instead of being our voice, he’s often preoccupied with serving the interests of political elites. Dustin Borrows has used his time in Austin to be a lap dog to the Speaker. Beaumont already has a liberal representative as the House Speaker; it doesn’t need another.”
Cowan’s decision to aim his attacks toward Phelan mirrors a recurring theme in primary contests across Texas this year, as a number of House challengers have been highlighting their opposition to Phelan as a selling point. This comes following the House’s decision to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton — a move that was backed by Phelan. Paxton was ultimately acquitted in the Texas Senate.
The primary contest between Burrows and Cowan is scheduled for Tuesday, March 5, 2024.