Texas GOP to take up censure votes that could bar 10 GOP lawmakers from the primary ballot

The Texas GOP will consider censuring 10 Republican lawmakers next month — including House Speaker Dustin Burrows — in a move that could potentially bar them from appearing on the GOP primary ballot.

The State Republican Executive Committee announced Tuesday it would consider resolutions submitted by county parties against the speaker and nine committee chairs, alleging they flouted the core principles of the Republican Party of Texas.

If approved, the censures could test a new party rule authorizing county chairs to block the lawmakers from running in the March GOP primary. They come on the heels of a series of sessions in which Republicans pushed through a series of conservative priorities, including private school vouchers and a new congressional map meant to give the party five new seats in Congress.