Businessman Alex Fairly has launched the Texas Republican Leadership Fund, further increasing his influence over the political arena.

The group, which reportedly already has $20 million in funding, is set to play a major role in the 2026 Republican primary election. In a press release, Fairly cited the state of the ongoing Texas House Speaker election as the reason for the group’s founding. “Texans need our Republican representatives to unite together to elect a Speaker by Republican majority,” said Fairly.

As we previously reported, though David Cook (R-Mansfield) is supported by the majority of Republican’s in the state’s lower house in the race for speaker, a faction of Republicans are expected to join with Democrats to elect Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) as the next speaker.

The creation of the new group was met with praise from Congressman Ronny Jackson (R-Amarillo). “Alex ALWAYS follows through when involved,” said Jackson on Facebook. “This will go a long way to help our great state!”

With more than a year left until the 2026 primary, the group could have a major impact. According to analytics firm AdImpact, a total of $31.7 was spent on Texas House races in the 2024 primary season.

Fairly’s entry into the political arena began in earnest in 2022, when he successfully sued the City of Amarillo to halt the planned use of tax anticipation notes to circumvent the failed 2020 Civic Center Bond election. Fairly’s slate of candidates then took over Amarillo City Council in 2023.

His focus then moved to state politics for the 2024 primary, with Fairly’s spending closely aligned with candidates backed by Governor Greg Abbott. His daughter, medical claims negotiator Caroline Fairly (R-Amarillo) was recently elected to the Texas House, replacing retiring incumbent Four Price (R-Amarillo).

Though Fairly’s eyes have largely turned to Austin in recent years, he continues to be active at the local level. Earlier this month, Fairly was picked to helm the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation’s Board of Directors. Fairly’s appointment to the board was made in the wake of mass board resignations in the wake of the RANGE Foundation controversy, though he is expected to only serve until early 2025, when Amarillo City Council is expected to appoint a more permanent board.