David Cook

Days after the Texas House GOP caucus backed Cook, Abbott made clear that he expects Republican representatives to do the same.

Burrows claims the support of a coalition of Republicans and Democrats, while Cook has the endorsement of the GOP caucus.

Phelan, a Beaumont Republican, had previously insisted he had enough votes to thwart a challenge from the right led by state Rep. David Cook of Mansfield.

The two-term Republican caught many Capitol observers off guard when he emerged as the standard-bearer for a coalition that wants to depose Phelan and reshape how the House operates.

Phelan appears to lack support from the majority of House Republicans, but he could still win with some Democratic support.